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“Success in a hybrid work environment requires employers to move beyond viewing remote or hybrid environments as a temporary or short-term strategy and to treat it as an opportunity.” — George Penn
At a time, remote work was touted as the ultimate work mode for those seeking a work-life balance. The only problem is, although it may have many benefits—think lower transport costs and less time wastage—a sense of balance isn’t necessarily one of them. As per research compiled by Zippia, around 86% of remote workers say they are burnt out at their current jobs. Moreover, around 41% of telecommuters who do a lot of remote work say they feel highly stressed out “always” or “most of the time.” The reasons for this dilemma include large workloads, the feeling that one always has to be online and respond immediately to emails at any time, and the inability to change scenery and interact with co-workers. If you are a manager who recalls breaks with your colleagues or the chance to walk in a nearby park during your break, know that your team feels the same way. And this is how you can ensure they feel engaged, motivated, and healthy.
Choose a Platform for Effective Communication
Use e-mails less and communication platforms more to ensure employees can have their queries answered quickly and efficiently. Apps like Slack are perfect for coordinating large teams and sub-teams, as they notify users when new messages have been uploaded. When one person in a team or sub-team poses a question, someone is bound to view it within minutes (or even seconds) and answer the question immediately. Slack allows users to create various channels and make personal messaging available. This enables teams working on specific projects to communicate quickly and effectively.
Meanwhile, broad channels can be used to keep teams unified. Dedicated staff can keep up to date on employee birthdays and milestones and share positive feedback with teams so they remain motivated and feel united in their goals. Meanwhile, software like Asana can be used to ensure the optimal flow of projects and to keep track of correspondence between clients and employees.
Ensure Workers Enjoy Good Ergonomics at Home
If you think going fully remote saves you from investing in ergonomic furniture for your employees, think again. Poor ergonomics can lead to headaches, backaches, and, worst yet, more significant problems like deep vein thrombosis—which is why innovative companies are investing in ergonomic furniture items such as sit-stand desks for remote workers and in-office staff. Employees should not have to fork out on comfortable equipment because your company has switched from in-person to remote work. This is why many companies such as HubSpot, Buffer, and Zillow offer their employees stipends to cover home expenses. Take it beyond the basics by providing your employees with resources to create stylish, comfortable multipurpose living and workspaces. Providing them with visually appealing ideas on how to set up their desk, decorate their space with attractive items such as plants, and position their computer, chairs, and desks sends the clear message that you value their health and well-being.
Create Structured Virtual bonding Events
Companies with a large percentage of remote workers frequently host everything from online Trivial Pursuit events to bingo events, film quizzes, and similar. This is good fun for those who enjoy connecting with other team members, but these events can fizzle out and lose their appeal if they are done right. Events should be time-bound and structured so that everyone can participate—not just the most extroverted members of your team. One activity that should be held at least once a month or trimester is the “all-hands” event, in which all management, employees, and significant stakeholders get together (virtually) to pitch ideas, talk about achievements, and discuss current projects. Sometimes, remote team members can be clueless about other teams' work. All-hands events are, therefore, a crucial way for workers to feel like they are working in a united form toward a common goal.
Remote work saves companies time and money. However, it can also lead to burnout and stress as time boundaries are crossed and isolation sets in. Companies can overcome major dilemmas by choosing the right communications software, providing employees with stipends, and creating structured virtual bonding events. They can also stipulate work hours to ensure workers log off when their official working day is done.
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