How to Successfully Incorporate Remote Employees

Remote working offers an array of benefits to the modern employee. These include the ability to create their own schedules, which enhances their work-life balance. In addition, they get to save on time and money that goes into commuting, among other benefits. That is why the modern employee will consider a remote opportunity more than a starting salary.

By CHRISTIAN KRUSE

If the modern employee is to gain an advantage in winning tops talents from anywhere in the globe, then hiring remote teams should be something to consider. However, managing remote teams has its own set of challenges. On top of them being the ability to incorporate remote employees with the rest of the workforce. If a company fails in doing this, remote employees are at risk of feeling left out, which can be detrimental to their productivity.

Here are 5 ways that you can successfully incorporate remote workers.

1. Share important files promptly

Working remotely means that your remote employees will from time to time need to work on files that are located in the physical office. Failing to send them what they need will not only make them feel left out, but can also delay the delivery if some projects.

Ensure that your remote workers have all the files that they need in a timely manner. If you have to send large files, you can do so efficiently using RAR files. RAR files allow you to compress large files for efficiency and easier files transfer.

2. Instant communication

Just like in a traditional office, communication with remote workers needs to be instant. It can be frustrating waiting for a response for hours on end. That is why companies need to move from traditional email communication and adopt the use of modern communication tools.

A good example is Slack that allows instant messaging between teams and the ability to categorize the messages in channels. You can create a channel for each department and an additional channel for non-work related conversations. The ability to chat with colleagues about an upcoming football match can go a long way in making remote workers feel like a part of the larger team.

3. Extend company traditions online

If your on-premises employees enjoy certain company traditions, improvise a way of taking the same online. For instance, if your team celebrates each other’s birthdays in the office, you can start a post on social media to celebrate a remote worker’s birthday. You can then encourage the rest of the team to send their birthday wishes. In addition, order a cake to be delivered at his or her remote location.

4. Video meeting

Company meetings are the norm in the workplace. This is the time that teams get to brainstorm and discuss important business information. They air their grievances and observations on matters affecting the organization.

Remote employees need to benefit from such meetings as well. Ensure that you incorporate them in the meetings through video conferencing. Make use of video conferencing tools such as Skype or Zoom for the very important face-to-face interactions. To foster stronger relationships, be sure to allow a session where people share on their personal life.

5. Recognise their performances

When you share a location with your employees, recognising them for jobs well done is as simple as calling an impromptu gathering to announce the employee of the month. It is also easy to stop someone down the hallway to give him or her a pat on the back.

On the other hand, remote workers lack such privileges. You can make your remote employees feel like part of the team by considering their projects when choosing the outstanding worker of the month. They would feel happy to see their name hanging on the board just like those working in the office. In addition, don’t let their good work go unnoticed. Ensure that you send them a message telling them that they did well. In addition, recognise them during the weekly meetings so that the rest can have a chance to congratulate them.

Conclusion

A company records better results when everyone on the team works on the same page. It might be a challenge when team members work from different locations. Organisations must then employ the necessary efforts and tactics to ensure that everyone feels like a part of the team. The above points are just a starting point for your inspiration.