Remote work is a norm in the post-pandemic era, with many business owners embracing it for good. But letting employees work from outside of the office continues to be challenging, specifically from the productivity front. Your team may lose motivation more than once, even if they work remotely for the long haul. Isolation, technical glitches, inadequate communication, and micromanagement can make them less productive. As an employer, you must do your bit to help employees give their best in the WFH role. Here are some tips you can implement to step up remote employee productivity this New Year.
Set clear objectives
Working on the remote or hybrid model requires a revamp of business operations. In fact, you must reassess and fine-tune them from time to time. Commit to setting clear and realistic objectives for employees this New Year. It helps create greater clarity and drive engagement levels to make them more productive. Workers feel confident when pursuing clear targets, milestones, and timelines, so give them all while handing over projects.
Look for red flags
People working out of the office have unique challenges and concerns, such as tech glitches, security apprehension, and communication gaps. They may not even realize these challenges or shy away from bringing them up. Look for red flags indicating signs of distress and address them with direct conversations and relevant solutions. Acting fast enables you to handle productivity blocks even before they happen.
Ramp up your technology and tools
Technology and tools are the cornerstones of success for remote working models. You cannot expect people to give their best without communicating and collaborating, which is possible only with relevant tools. Compare work from home vs office to understand the difference in tech dependence. You cannot take a set-and-forget approach to remote tech because needs and challenges evolve. So you must have a second look at your technology and tools and ramp them up this New Year.
Double up on the trust factor
Working from home is inherently stressful, and the anxiety factor can hurt employee productivity. Besides isolation, the lack of trust can affect the morale of your team. You can make things worse by micromanaging people because it shows you do not believe in their intentions and capabilities. Double up on the trust factor this year to keep people engaged and productive. You can rely on performance management systems for evaluating employees instead of fixating on perceived performance problems.
Increase recognition
Increasing recognition for good work is another surefire way to keep remote productivity levels on track. It enhances employee motivation, loyalty, and retention, which are the key concerns for modern organizations. Find creative ways to incentivize performers, such as giving them a paid vacation or rewarding them with verbal appreciation. You need not spend a fortune on rewards, but focus on motivating the team members in small ways.
You can go the extra mile by reinforcing organizations’ values this New Year to make people productive and happy for the long haul. These simple measures set you up for success, so you must implement them sooner than later.
The author is a content strategist with Outreach Monks. Imala Green specializes in niches like business, technology, marketing, and lifestyle. She is also an avid travel buff and reader.
