Some Industries (and People) Just Aren’t Designed for Remote Work
Like the title says, some jobs just aren’t meant to be done remotely. Healthcare, manufacturing, and customer service-oriented professions, for example, require in-person interaction and access to various supports and resources to operate properly. Well into our 3rd month of Coronavirus-related quarantine restrictions, the toll on many newly remote workers is obvious.
According to a survey from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), over 70% of employees in the industries listed above, among others, are struggling with adjusting to working remotely. Moreover, 65% of employers reported that keeping employee morale high during the crisis has been a challenge.
How can employee recognition and communication help to solve the issue of remote-working struggles? While it’s likely most businesses will eventually go back to a more “normal” existence, these current struggles can be used as an opportunity to introduce employee recognition as a motivational incentive.
65% of employers reported that keeping employee morale high during the crisis has been a challenge.
An employee recognition strategy that includes keeping people connected through the use of technology is guaranteed to ease the pressure on and frustration of newly off-site workers. It isn’t just about communicating about tasks and timelines; these steps will help remind all of your employees that their purpose and efforts are still valued, regardless of location:
Set up regular (weekly–monthly–group–individual) video calls
If possible, maybe even schedule a lunch or “happy hour” game with the team
Surprise everyone with a gift card to get lunch or dinner every so often
Give people the time and ability (without recourse) to vent frustrations
Commiserate with them (this can’t be all sunshine and rainbows for you, can it??)
Acknowledge, recognize, and reward (monetarily and non-monetarily) employees for their achievements, large and small
Utilize collaborative communication and workflow tools to stay updated on projects
Actions such as there are truly necessary during a pandemic, but will also benefit your company culture and morale long-term.
To read up on other ways in which you can motivate your employees, read our article on engaging remote workers here. Feel free to reach out to a member of our team to learn more about how Online Rewards can help, especially now.
