How Managers Can Support Remote Employees
As many employees continue to work from home, remote work can be filled with challenges. Even though the working-from-home routine is not new to society, some managers are still struggling to support remote employees. There are some relatively quick and inexpensive things that managers can do to help their employees. Here are some actions that you can take today to assist your remote team:
Daily check-ins
Many successful remote managers hold a daily call with their employees. The calls must be regular and predictable, and that they are a conference in which employees know that they can consult with you and that they will be heard.
Use various communication technology options
Email alone is insufficient. Remote workers benefit from having options such as video conferencing, which gives participants many visual cues that they would have if they were face-to-face. Investing in a channel-based messaging platform, like Slack or Microsoft Teams, is a good option for shorter or more urgent matters that can arise during the workday. Utilizing another platform will also ensure that messages do not get lost in an overload email inbox.
Establish rules for communication
Set expectations for the frequency, means, and ideal timing of communication for your teams. For example, do not use videoconference for every communication. Establish rules for when to use email versus other forms of communication and lead by example by following these rules.
Provide remote social interaction opportunities
A manager must structure ways to interact socially with their team while working remotely. The easiest way to establish some necessary social interaction is to leave some time at the beginning of team calls for non-work items.
Managers can implement these tools quickly to support remote employees better for the new year. With this support, employees are more likely to take up the call with a renewed sense of direction.
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