The opportunity to work from the comfort of your own home without leaving your jammies could seem like a godsend. However, the novelty of working remotely might wear off after a while, and employees may experience feelings of isolation or lack of inspiration. It’s not enough to say “Great job!” in a Slack chat. Keeping spirits up in a remote office requires some imagination. Keeping your remote workforce enthusiastic and engaged doesn’t have to involve commuting; here are 8 clever suggestions!
Extended Coffee Breaks: Virtually Everything
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You may roll your eyes at the term “virtual coffee break,” but bear with me. Since remote workers can no longer access those heartwarming, chance conversations over the coffee maker, why not bring them back online? Virtual coffee breaks allow workers to unwind, chat, and recharge regularly.
Relax and enjoy each other’s company while venting about how poor your coffee is or how your cat interrupted your last Zoom conversation. No worries about agendas or business. Teams might experience a more personal connection and appreciation during these breaks.
Monthly Employee Awards
Even if “virtual high-fives” are commonplace, physical awards, such as employee of the month plaques, are more meaningful than ever. Digital recognition is great, but nothing beats a tangible plaque as a constant reminder of all your hard work and devotion. It’s more than just a Slack shout-out; it’s a tangible badge of distinction that staff can proudly display in their offices. On top of that, it’s a fantastic method to demonstrate that the value of recognizing outstanding performance remains unchanged, even in the age of remote work. Even if their “office” is only a corner of the living room, a tangible plaque sent to their door is a wonderful way to let them know how much you appreciate them.
Use Your Imagination with Team-Building Exercises
Everyone used to hate such team-building activities, but do you remember them? Well, it seems like they’re kind of missed. When executed properly, virtual team-building exercises may liven up your remote work environment. Hosting a trivia night, an online treasure hunt, or an escape room challenge is a fun way to break up the workweek’s routine and encourage teamwork.
Make sure your trivia game has some interesting questions based on office life. In Sally’s backdrop, how many plants can you find? In a meeting, who is the most likely to turn off their camera? Your team will bond over these humorous moments, which will happen even when they’re not in the same room.
Promote Health—Yet Make It Enjoyable
Advising your staff to prioritize their emotional and physical well-being is a good idea, but how do you get them to do it? I’ll get to it in a while. Integrate health into your corporate culture engagingly and entertainingly rather than just sending boilerplate letters on work-life balance. Motivate your remote workers to move by holding virtual yoga classes, meditation breaks, or step challenges.
The challenge is shifting their perspective from seeing fitness as something they should do to something they want to accomplish. Motivate others to take part by turning it into a game. Give the highest-scoring individual a well-deserved break or a unique piece of gear for doing the downward dog the best.
Rejoice in the Minor Successes
When you close a transaction or conclude a major project at work, giving someone a high five is simple. These few moments, however, may pass undetected by distant workers. Is this the answer? Celebrate even the slightest successes with great fanfare! Has anybody resolved the issue with their malfunctioning microphone? Honor it! After weeks of email mayhem, did someone on the team finally get control of their inbox? Some virtual confetti is in order because of it.
Employee morale is maintained, and the value of every accomplishment, no matter how modest, is reinforced via the celebration of tiny triumphs. Also, it’s a great way to reconnect with teammates, no matter how far away you are, and enjoy a respite from the daily grind.
Organize “Office” Parties Online
Do you recall the workplace parties with complimentary refreshments and uncomfortable small talk? You can channel that enthusiasm—without the dubious dip—into your remote team. Workplace celebrations don’t have to take place in person. Events like themed happy hours, lunch-and-learns, and game nights allow your staff to relax and enjoy themselves.
Minor Acknowledgment Has a Significant Impact
A little praise goes a long way toward lifting spirits. Little things, like giving remote employees a shout-out at the next team meeting, may make them feel appreciated. The most exciting aspect? Get it for nothing!
Whether reaching a new goal or always having a happy attitude, it’s important to recognize and reward team members who go above and beyond. Acknowledgment from the public may encourage others to do their best and promote an attitude of appreciation.
Make Your Benefits Unique
The same applies to remote workers as it does to any other team member. While some may want more vacation time, others may be more interested in stylish office equipment. What is the key to maintaining great morale? A la carte benefits! Make your incentives unique to each person.
Send out a poll to find out which benefits are most important to your staff. Show your workers that you care about their requirements with specialized bonuses like flexible hours, app subscriptions, or a wellness stipend.
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