The recent availability of remote workers does not encourage a communicative work environment, Employee engagement has always been an important aspect towards running a successful business, Although, there has been a rise in the use of remote workers, which enables workers to work for a company without having to be together in physical location.
With these new changes, over time, keeping employee engagement has become a tasking effort, because it is easy to feel isolated or disconnected from the company culture, which can ultimately affect employee productivity and satisfaction.
This is why it is best we need to learn strategies and methods for some effective employee engagement ideas for remote workers that can help you keep your team motivated and connected.
Employee Engagement ideas
At our company, Creating a culture that encourages building engagement is crucial to the success of our remote workforce.
when there is a sense of togetherness among employee this will increase the efficiency of their work output. Here are a few ideas we have implemented to build a culture of engagement among our remote workers.
1) Promoting Open Communication
Communication is key to building a culture of engagement. Workers should be actively encouraged to communicate often with their coworkers and employees this can be encouraged by setting up group projects for two or more people to work on.
The use of tools such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and email to ensure that everyone is connected and up-to-date on the latest developments.
Using the above tools will encourage employees to share their thoughts and ideas, this will create a sense of together and good relationship. By promoting open communication, we create a sense of community and collaboration among our remote workers.
2) Encouraging Work-Life Balance
Remote work can easily get carried away and not differentiate between work and personal life, which could lead to burnout and disengagement. In other to encourage remote workers to prioritize their work-life balance we offer flexible work schedules and encourage our employees to take breaks and recharge throughout the day.
Also, provision is made for resources and support for mental health and wellness. Classes like virtual wellness programs, such as yoga and meditation are put in place, and provide access to mental health resources and counseling services. By encouraging the work-life balance, we create a more engaged and motivated workforce.
3) Online Icebreakers
The use of Online icebreakers is a great way to start a virtual team-building session. this will encourage everyone to be free with each other, even if they are not in the same room. for example
- Two Truths and a Lie: Each team member shares three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. The team then has to guess which statement is the lie.
- Virtual Scavenger Hunt: The team is given a list of items to find around their house, and the first team to find all the items wins.
- Virtual Charades: Each team member takes turns acting out a word or phrase while the others try to guess what it is.
4) Virtual Team Challenges
Virtual team challenges are a great way to build teamwork and encourage healthy competition. Here are some examples of virtual team challenges:
- Virtual Escape Room: The team is given a set of clues and puzzles to solve in order to escape the virtual room.
- Virtual Trivia Night: The team competes against each other in a virtual trivia game.
- Virtual Cook-Off: Each team member cooks a dish at home and presents it to the team, who then vote on the best dish.
When we put in place regular virtual team-building activities into our work routine, we can build stronger relationships with our colleagues and feel more engaged with our work.
5) Peer-to-Peer Recognition
This is more like an introduction of each person in a work place and what they are focused on, It allows employees to recognize and appreciate the hard work of their colleaguesWe can put this in place using different channels, such as messaging platforms, email, or even video conferencing.
To implement a peer-to-peer recognition program, consider creating a system where employees can nominate their colleagues for recognition. This can be done through a simple form or survey. Once nominations are received, the team leader or manager can review and approve them. The recognition can then be shared with the team and the recipient.
6) Virtual Reward Platforms
These are platforms that are used to incentivize and help to motivate remote workers. These platforms provide different benefits for them which could encourage working habits, rewards such as gift cards, merchandise, or even experiences. Employees can earn these rewards by meeting certain goals or milestones.
7) E-Learning and Webinars
The company can arrange e-learning courses and also webinars that covers different topics including leadership, communication, and technical skills. These will be provided in a way that is flexible and works with each individual pace. this removes pressure and helps to keep a balance in their work and personal lives while still investing in their professional development.
8) Mentorship Programs
Mentorship is one of the best ways to encourage employers to grow and follow a good career path, this is why putting in place mentorship programs can help promote good relationships between workers in an environment. u
It can be set up in a way in which top-class professionals in a field tend to mentor low-class professionals. This way employers’ constant engagement is achieved and encouraged
This mentorship program is designed to be flexible and accessible for remote workers. Mentors and mentees are encouraged to communicate regularly through virtual meetings and messaging platforms, which allows them to build strong relationships despite being in different locations.
