Introduction

Employees throughout the world, including many who had never worked from home before, have been forced to do so as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  A number of these remote-work agreements were imposed abruptly, pushing employees and supervisors to face a new work environment while also dealing with personal anxiety and public health issues.

Working remotely, particularly during this stressful, uncertain circumstance, can leave employees feeling confused, lonely, demoralized, and agitated if it is not done intentionally by both workers and management.

So before we get to know about the five remote work productivity tips for remote employees and why remote work is better, let us read onto know how to motivate your remote employees as an employer or what are the tips for managing remote employees and what is the best way to manage remote employees.

How to motivate your remote employees

Employee participation and empowerment are critical to any company’s success, especially when it transitions to a remote work environment. You can encourage your remote staff by providing the tools they need to execute their jobs, cultivating a culture of trust, adopting a growth mentality, and maintaining open lines of communication.

Here are some guidelines for managing remote employees, and as an employer, you may decide which method is ideal for you;

1. Provide the most up-to-date, right tools for remote workers

Insufficient resources will prevent a team from completing and submitting their work on time. The lack of technical tools also causes the employee’s workflow to be disrupted. When an employee works remotely and does not have access to the IT staff, communication challenges become even more serious.

To execute their jobs efficiently, remote workers require email, a reliable internet connection, time tracking tools, remote communication tools (like Slack), video conferencing tools (like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts), project management, and tracker tools (Jira, VersionOne, or Pivotal Tracker), a direct messaging platform, and a mechanism to exchange and download information. It is also recommended to provide HR software like People Choice HRMS. To express your appreciation for an employee’s hard work, give them a month’s subscription to an internet streaming service (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.).

2. Provide health-related advantages

In terms of employee desire, health benefits are always at the top of the list. Give your staff the benefits of a health insurance plan that covers the Corona Virus to keep them engaged. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, cover their insurance as well as their families. This will demonstrate your company’s adjustment to new times while still being considerate of its employees.

Make sure your staff receives health packages regularly throughout these unforeseeable times. A stepping stone could be a monthly basket with hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves or a vaccination drive for the employee and his/her family. Show that you care.

3. Employee feedback should be valued

Give importance to what your employees have to communicate. Listen to their demands and do your best to meet them (if those are within reason). Your staff should not feel as if they are being ordered around; instead, they should feel as if they are being heard. As a result, ask them for important feedback on employee happiness to disrupt the one-way flow of assignments. Constructive feedback is essential for keeping your staff motivated and engaged since it helps connect expectations and objectives with performance while also demonstrating that you care about their job. Please be careful to give positive feedback when appropriate.

4. Communication, Trust, Bonding

Make a habit of scheduling video calls regularly. Don’t limit yourself to work-related issues while on the phone. Also, inquire about your employee’s reactions to the situation. Tell them that you will be reachable to them at all times.

Make an effort to form a bond with your staff that extends beyond deadlines. As much as possible, try to delegate. Also, use a little humor in your communications if it’s appropriate for the workplace. A little wit can go a long way toward building team spirit and keeping lines of communication open.

5. Promote the formation of a growth attitude

A development mentality is when you recognize that no matter where you are in your profession, you have room to progress. Instilling growth mindset ideas in your remote workforce encourages them to seek out new training programs and offers up new options – both personally and professionally. You can also initiate a program of employee recognition.

Remote work productivity tips for an employee

Here are few remote work productivity tips for an employee;

1. Create and keep to a schedule

Working remotely gives you greater scheduling flexibility than if you worked in an office. You will not only be able to create your timetable but you will also be required to do so. Establish a routine. We often consider a routine to be a limitation at best and a murderer of creativity at worst. Sticking to a routine, on the other hand, can be highly beneficial for a telecommuter. It will be more difficult to stay productive and motivated without one.

2. Prioritize your tasks

It can be tough to prioritize projects and arrange your workflow without the hierarchical structure of a traditional office. Develop self-control. There is no general solution for organizational skills, so you’ll have to figure out what works for you. To-do lists can be really useful. Stay in touch with your teammates (and supervisor) no matter what you decide.

3. Select the appropriate tools to do the job

Having the appropriate tools on your side might help you maximize your telecommuting productivity. Comfortable, sleek, and efficient workstations are essential. Don’t stockpile more than you need.

4. Define your limits.

When you telecommute, it’s easy to get lost in your work, which puts you in danger of burnout. To avoid this scenario, it’s critical to strike a healthy work-life balance. You must leave work behind when you take a break or finish your regular chores. Set up routines on your communication devices to seem as “do not disturb.” Don’t forget to set up a clocking-out procedure to end your day on a professional note.

5. Self-care is important

When you work from home, it’s critical to look after yourself, which typically involves keeping an eye on your energy levels. Don’t be afraid to stretch, roll out a yoga mat, or jump on your stationary bike for fifteen minutes when you need a break.

Moving on let us read about the benefits of remote working for employees.

Why is it beneficial to work remotely?

Employees can benefit from working remotely in the following ways:

1. Versatility and liberty

Remote workers value their independence. They can schedule their days to fit both their job and personal lives as long as they do the required tasks on time. It can help to have the flexibility to attend doctor’s appointments, watch the kids’ basketball game, or accompany elderly parents shopping. Furthermore, remote working allows you to customize your workplace or workstation. Because it is more comfortable, many people are more productive in their setting. Moreover, to concentrate, some people need to work in complete stillness. Working from home, in particular, allows for more creative thinking and productivity.

2. Time and money savings

It might be costly to commute to work. Working from home can help you save money on travel and food, which can add up quickly. Furthermore, because modern technology allows teams to video call on the intranet, working remotely saves time going to and attending meetings.

3. Healthy life and prosperity

Working in an office and commuting to work every day isn’t the healthiest way to spend one’s time.The benefit of working remotely is that you don’t have to interact with another person (which is especially important in the light of Covid-19). Remote working can also help with mental health because it reduces stress and allows you to work in your surroundings. Pleased employees are more productive and motivated, which leads to higher-quality work. Working remotely, in essence, allows you to reach the desired work-life balance.

Final Thoughts

As an employer, every team is different, and what works for one organization to boost productivity may not work for another. Attempt to upgrade your remote setup regularly. To acquire new ideas, go to remote work events. The further you explore, further, you’ll discover what works best for your team.