The best workforces have a sense of unity running through them. Though different departments make up a business, they must work together cohesively at the end of the day.
Firms that implement hybrid work strategies poorly often fail to include remote employees in their business connectivity plans. In many workplaces, these talents are still treated differently. There was even a suggestion of additional taxes being imposed on remote workers at the end of 2020.
Remote workers need to be treated equally. They must feel as part of their business as anyone else. If you’re a business boss struggling to make this a reality, the tips below might help you.
Host Meetings and Meetups
Remote workers shouldn’t feel isolated at home. Opportunities for further engagement should always be presented to them.
After all, remote workers worry that they may be affected by proximity bias, fearing they don’t get enough face time with their superiors. To counter those concerns, you should host weekly Zoom meetings to discuss their progress and keep those lines open throughout every working day in case the remote worker wishes to have an impromptu discussion.
Socialise informally too. Even if workers are far away from each other, literally meeting halfway for a staff party, meet and greet, or even just a day out can make all the difference when facilitating feelings of inclusion. Remember, if workers can’t attend, they’re still likely to appreciate the invitation and be comforted that there’s a place for them in these situations.
Offer the Same Training eLearning Materials
It’s not always necessary to have a strict approach to training today. Many of these resources are now available on demand, thanks to technology.
For example, the eLearning courses from iHASCO can be accessed from any device and any modern, compliant web browser. The offerings can fit any screen size and can be presented in dozens of different languages with audio or text-based learning. That means your remote workers can access the same 150 accredited eLearning courses as anyone else in your firm.
Implementing these measures means your remote workers will understand their talent is being invested in with other workers. It keeps them connected to the firm’s present and future learning hub, as new courses are always added around compliance procedures, health and safety, and more. This can give them confidence that they’re learning new skills the same way their peers are.
Celebrate Remote Working Success
For all the disruption the pandemic wrought, it proved that remote working could be a roaring success under the correct management practices. Many people became remote workers in that period, even temporarily, and kept their places of work afloat and thriving in some cases.
Consequently, remote workers should never be treated as sub-tier workers ever again. They played essential roles during the pandemic and continue to do so, giving firms greater flexibility in how they operate. Working remotely can also help firms reduce facilities and maintenance costs, saving the business money indefinitely.
Celebrate your remote workers and their essential role and continue to play. Regularly acknowledge the importance of their contributions, and encourage all workers to recognise one another for their efforts. Positive reflections should be constant, as well as uplifting assurances about the future of remote workers in the business.
