7 Effective Strategies for Boosting Remote Employee Engagement
Presented by: Rochelle James, HR Professional at Caribbean Society for Human Resource Professionals (CSHRP)
Engaged employees are essential for building stronger, more resilient organizations. Here are seven effective strategies to boost engagement among your remote workforce:
1. Open Communication Channels
Ensure employees feel heard by keeping communication lines open. Video calls are preferred, followed by audio calls, chat, and email.
2. Foster Professional Growth
Promote continuous learning by encouraging remote employees to take online courses or attend virtual workshops (e.g., LinkedIn Learning).
3. Create a Sense of Community
Focus on people, not just tasks. Foster team connections through:
- Virtual coffee breaks
- Virtual lunchrooms
- Virtual Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Virtual Lunch and Learn sessions
4. Recognize Employee Achievements
Show appreciation for employees’ hard work through:
- Video messages
- Recognition in group chats
- Virtual greeting cards
- Virtual shout-outs
5. Engage Top Talent
Identify and engage top performers by discovering their passions and keeping them challenged.
6. Encourage Flexibility
Allow employees to have flexible work policies, avoid micromanagement, and involve them in new ideas.
7. Provide Clear Expectations
Seek clarity after discussions and milestone meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Additional Engagement Tools
Consider implementing a virtual gratitude wall for employees to share what they’re grateful for daily or weekly, and use a happiness meter each morning.
Technologies to Boost Engagement
Utilize tools such as Trello, Slack, Mentimeter, Kahoot!, and Asana to improve communication and collaboration.
Talent Management
Encourage employees to learn new skills that can be applied to their current role or assigned to new projects to keep them engaged and challenged.