Most organizations face challenges when implementing work at home programs:  Remote work, telework, virtual teams, or a hybrid arrangement. By improving communication and nurturing trust the work relationship and productivity will improve. 

Issues such as payroll, ergonomics and workers’ compensation, training, benefits, performance management, and compensation need to be ironed out, but so do the rules of engagement regarding communication and interactions. 

Here are some tips to boost morale and performance:

1.        Develop trust.  Trust is an important part of any supervisory relationship. A remote working relationship requires even greater attention to management standards of setting goals, timelines, quality standards, and ongoing feedback. But trust is built over time through effective communication. Make sure that your remote workers are included in meetings whenever possible. Schedule important discussions in advance in order to give your remote workers an opportunity to attend in-person or by phone and make them feel as though they are an integral part of the day-to-day activities.

2.       Keep employees engaged.  Consistent communication will help ensure a productive experience for all involved. Some employees may feel isolated and lonely and some may struggle to manage their time. Find a way to keep employees engaged in everything that they do. Keep an open conversation about the employee’s needs to keep them engaged and supported. 

3.        Develop team communication ground rules:  working hours, response time expectations, decorum about video conferences, email standards, and other behaviors.  Establishing these team ground rules will help everyone work better together.

4.       Provide equipment and supplies:  Make sure that your team members are equipped with supplies, equipment, and the right software to facilitate communication and collaboration, and that remote employees have user support available for any technical issues.  Also, be certain data security elements are in place to ensure that confidential company and customer information is protected.

5.       Make use of software tools:  Workflow software can help because it allows the team to clearly define goals and update them regularly and manage the processes. Set OKRs, KPIs, and SOPs to clarify expectations, goals, and processes.

6.       Focus on deliverables and outputs. With exempt remote workers, you will have to switch gears and focus on what is delivered.  Non-exempt remote workers will be tricky to monitor their work and they probably need more supervision.   Clarifying goals and timelines is more important than ever.  Create milestones that have precise deadlines rather than wait until the deadline. Checking on the employee's progress and connect well in advance to be sure goals are achievable.

7.       Pair up in teams. One idea is to team up employees in pairs or in threes to enhance collaboration.  You still need to check in and establish team norms and output but this will help employees feel more connected.

8.       Offer training to build skills. This new workplace requires new skills.  Offer training opportunities for self-development.  Our training portal includes critical topics for managing and working in today’s workplace.  Skills such as setting goals, monitoring progress, giving feedback, resolving conflicts, collaboration, team facilitation skills, quality improvement, and efficiency can all help to develop skills and nurture working relationships.  A complete course list can be found at i2iworkplace.com

There are challenges and benefits of remote work arrangements.  Iron out the HR and communication issues and everyone will be more positive and productive.  

Boost morale and performance

Managing in this environment is tricky.  More pressure is put on managers for team productivity and results despite the harsh realities.  Managers need training and skills in resolving interpersonal conflict, supporting employees, and responding to complaints of harassment and bullying. 

Fear of returning to the office environment is causing many employees to withdraw from their jobs and others will decide to quit, causing more pressure to fill those positions with trained workers.

Wise employers will take steps to address these issues through employee engagement and support. Setting team ground rules and clarifying expectations is important as are engagement, motivation, trust, and credibility.  Resolving conflict and collaboration can provide a framework, and Providing Feedback can promote the process of conducting sensitive conversations.

Engage employees with our on-demand staff development training on communication, conflict resolution, listening, and more!  Management courses on 16 important topics help build skills and awareness to see employees eye to eye. 

i2i Workplace’s focus is on Positive Productive People.  We aim to develop the skills and ideas to enhance communication by establishing team ground rules, setting standards for respectful and professional behavior.  We provide skills and tools to collaborate, problem-solve, and create a positive, productive work environment in addition to mandated harassment prevention training. 

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More about this topic:

• Managing Remote Teams - free class, no commitment/hassle

• Learn more about critical Management Skills/Courses you need in today’s environment

• Training pricing information

• Learn more about i2iWORKPLACE training: Harassment Prevention, ADA, Employee Investigations, and much more…