When you have a remote team, it can be difficult to tell if they're happy, satisfied, and engaged. So, how do you know if your remote workers are thriving? You can't see them or their environment, so it isn't easy to tell. I've found that there are a few things you can look for to determine whether your remote workers are engaged or not.
The more engaged your remote workers are, the better they will perform and the more productive your team will be. And as far as happy employees are concerned, they'll be more likely to stick around longer too. So, how do you know if your remote workers are engaged? That's what we will talk about in this article.
Understanding Remote Work Behavior
Before talking about engagement and its effects on remote workers, we must understand what they're doing now. Remote work gives your team more control over their schedule and lifestyle, making them feel less stressed and freer to pursue different activities outside work.
In other words, they have more time to focus on their hobbies, spend time with friends and family, and engage in other leisurely activities.
When thinking about how to help remote workers feel better, be more productive, and engaged, there are many factors to consider, and this is something we, as team managers, can help them with.
5 signs your team is engaged at work.
1. They like to communicate.
This is the first sign that a remote worker is interested. It also shows that they contribute to a greater purpose and feel valued. If you're not seeing this in your workers, it's time to get in touch with them. Managers need to start a culture of conversation with their team because the workers may still be new to working remotely and might still be hesitant to communicate. As such, it's imperative to make communication available to them without worrying too much about how much it would cost.
2. They are effective at meeting deadlines because.
One way to tell if your remote worker is engaged and interested is if they meet their deadlines consistently. This means they can manage their tasks well and regularly achieve good results. It is possible to help your team achieve a level of efficiency if you and your team are subscribed to an easy-to-use and quick-to-navigate all-in-one remote task management platform like Edworking.
3. They have recommendatory behavior.
A good work environment is one where workers feel comfortable sharing their opinions and making suggestions to improve the company. To see if this is happening, managers should listen to their workers' voices and ensure they are heard.
Hearing suggestions and recommendations from your team means that you have achieved an open-door policy in your team and that their opinions are appreciated. If you do not see this display of behavior, then it's likely that the workers are experiencing isolation and might need more guidance. One solution is to set up one-on-one or group meetings and allow them to express their opinions.
4. They proactively volunteer.
Engaged remote workers do not hesitate to volunteer outside of their regular tasks. This indicates that the team member is interested in getting involved because it allows them to learn and gain experience.
If you notice that your remote worker is taking a passive role and not volunteering for new projects, you should talk to them about it. This could indicate burnout and is an excellent opportunity to reach out and help.
5. They are happy with their work.
The last thing you want as a manager is a dissatisfied worker. A remote worker will typically report that they are happy with their work and enjoy working for your company.
While this can be true for most remote workers, some might not appreciate the lack of face-to-face communication. The best way to find out if this is the case is to ask them directly.
Remote workers are usually great at communicating their needs, so as long as you manage to make yourself available to them, you shouldn't have any problems.
Five tips to make sure your remote employees are engaged
1. "Stay Connected"
It's essential to keep in touch with your remote workers, even if they are working from home. Make sure that you stay connected with them through email and other methods. As much as possible, your remote workers should be able to communicate with you whenever they need to discuss something or ask questions about the project they are working on. This means you don't have to go out of your way to check in with your remote workers. It's always better to let them know that you are available and willing to help than to have them contact you and find out that you aren't able to respond.
2. Ask for Feedback Regularly
Your remote workers will probably tell you what they think you need to do to improve your company and your company culture. They might say things like, "You need to have more employee engagement," or "You need to focus more on the client's needs." Be ready to listen to what they have to say. Make sure you actively seek feedback and suggestions to change your company culture. If you can't change your company, ensure that your remote employees know you are willing to listen and change your company culture for the better.
3. Encourage Social Interaction
If you want your employees to feel a sense of belonging at work, encourage social interaction among your remote workers. Let them know that it's okay for them to talk to one another about their lives. Don't be afraid to share a few minutes of your time with them. You might not even realize how much they appreciate it.
If you're subscribed to a remote work tool such as Edworking, it's highly encouraged that you set up a chat room where everyone can talk about their day. Having a community is great for team bonding.
4. Show them you care.
Don't just throw money in the hopes that it will keep your team happy. Set aside a budget for meaningful programs that will bolster engagement. These worthwhile activities will show them that you care about their well-being by ensuring a comfortable and productive work environment.
5. Give them the tools to succeed.
As an employer, you are responsible for providing your employees with the necessary tools they need to succeed. Give them access to the software subscription they need, bits of training or webinars to expand or improve their skills, technology that can help improve their productivity, and some personal time away from their desks.
Conclusion
While the definition of engagement is universal, each person's engagement level differs. Therefore, to understand what engagement looks like for each individual, it is best to pay attention to their behavior.
Moreover, attempts to improve remote worker engagement must be approached through individual and overarching programs. The former should focus on enhancing the communication process, while the latter should emphasize the company's vision and the individual's contribution.
In the end, the key to building a good working relationship with your remote workers is to remember that they are just as important as in-office employees. Treating your remote workers well shows them that you value them as part of the team, giving them the motivation they need to succeed.
By implementing these simple strategies, employers can create the ideal remote working environment.
I hope this article has helped you better understand engagement and how it can be improved by following these guidelines. Thanks for reading, and have a productive day ahead!
