Employees should maintain regular hours, keep communication lines open, and be available during core work hours. Employees should also make an effort to connect with their team regularly, even if they are not physically in the same space.
In 2028, 73% of all departments will include remote workers, as projected by Upwork.
Fulfilling these requests isn’t as simple as saying “yes” nowadays since remote work is becoming increasingly common. Without establishing clear remote work policies or defining clear expectations, organizations expose themselves and their employees to the hazards of:
- Employee burnout
- Social isolation
- Loss in productivity
- Decreased team collaboration.
How can you encourage a healthy work environment when you’re divided by a screen? Similarly, how does management encourage closer collaboration between virtual teams and physical employees?
5 steps: How to set employee expectations for remote work
The following are five things to consider when setting expectations for remote employees to ensure their best performance.
1. Set up communication channels
Communication is critical in a hybrid or fully remote work environment, especially when employees are dispersed worldwide. To ensure everyone is on the same page, set up regular check-ins via video conferencing, phone calls, or instant messaging.
To ensure everyone is on the same page, it is essential to set up multiple communication channels to which everyone has access. This could include a group chat on a messaging platform like Slack or a shared Google Doc where people can post updates and announcements.
2. Agree on working hours
Setting some parameters around when employees should be working, especially in different time zones, is essential. One way to do this is to ask employees to overlap their working hours with at least a few other team members.
Another way to approach this is to set core hours during which everyone must be available and allow employees to work outside those hours as they see fit.
3. Establish clear targets and outcomes
In a remote work environment, it can be easy for employees to lose sight of the bigger picture. Establish clear targets and outcomes to ensure everyone is aware of the company’s goals and how their work fits into that.
Targets and outcomes should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
“The leaders who are only content when they see their subordinates “busy” at their desks struggle the most with remote work. On the other hand, those focused on outcomes and results-driven excellence as well as not concerned about how the task gets completed rather if it’s done successfully are thriving in this environment.”
Bronwyn Saglimbeni, communication coach
4. Have routine discussions about the well-being
In a remote work environment, employees can sometimes feel isolated and disconnected from their team. To combat this, it’s essential to have routine discussions about well-being.
Paying attention to employee well-being is the right thing to do and is suitable for business. According to a report by Gallup, companies that focus on employee well-being see a decrease in health-related costs, an increase in productivity, and higher retention rates.
5. Build team spirit
Just because employees are not in the same physical space doesn’t mean they can’t build team spirit. There are many ways to do this virtually, such as:
- Organizing regular social events like happy hours or virtual game nights
- Encouraging employees to share photos and stories from their personal life
- Recognizing birthdays and work anniversaries
- Creating company-wide or team-specific Slack channels
- Sending care packages to employees’ homes
When building team spirit virtually, the sky is the limit. It is essential to ensure that everyone feels like they are part of a community, even if they are not in the same physical space.
What can you do to support your remote employees?
The most important thing you can do to support your remote employees is to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to succeed. This includes things like:
- A dedicated workspace in their home
- A reliable internet connection
- The latest technology and software
- Access to training and development opportunities
- Regular check-ins with their manager
By providing your remote employees with the resources they need to be successful, you can help them feel supported and valued.
Conclusion
Working remotely can have its challenges, but there are many things you can do to set your team up for success. You can create a positive and productive remote work environment by establishing clear communication channels, setting expectations around working hours, and focusing on employee well-being.
What are your thoughts on remote work? Let us know in the comments below!
One Response
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