Since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has become more prevalent than ever before. According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five employees now work remotely, reflecting how companies are adapting to changing work trends.
Moreover, 98% of workers express a desire to work remotely, indicating a shift towards a more flexible, autonomous, and balanced work-life style.
Remote work offers several advantages for both employees and employers:
Despite these benefits, remote work also presents challenges that managers need to address, particularly in connecting and motivating employees:
Managers must find ways to keep teams motivated, aligned, and engaged. This requires intentional effort and creative strategies to bridge the physical distance between team members.
Even when communicating via computer screens, teams can still celebrate special holidays to bond and create memorable experiences. Organize virtual holiday-themed backgrounds, share festive music, and host holiday-related quizzes with small prizes and greetings. These activities can help bring employees closer together.
Related content: 8 Virtual Employee Appreciation Ideas To Engage Your Remote Team
Virtual team-building activities are an excellent way to strengthen relationships. Online games like trivia, escape rooms, or collaborative activities like virtual Pictionary allow team members to have fun together and bond outside of work tasks. These activities help break the ice, build trust, and improve communication, contributing to a more cohesive team.
Check out Litespace’s Engagement feature with 100+ team-building, DEI, and social activities templates.
Related content: 10 Team Building Activities for Work
Implementing an employee recognition platform is a powerful tool for keeping remote workers engaged. Platforms like Litespace allow employees to give each other “shout-outs” for their hard work and achievements. Publicly celebrating successes and milestones fosters a positive company culture and helps employees feel seen and appreciated, even when working from different locations.
Forming communities based on similar interests, backgrounds, or goals can connect employees regardless of their positions or ages. For example, you can create a jogging group, a professional development group, or a hometown group. These communities help employees feel part of something bigger, even in a dispersed workforce.
The right tools can help maintain engagement across remote teams by facilitating seamless communication and collaboration:
For individuals working from home, staying engaged can be challenging but is crucial for maintaining productivity and motivation. Here are a few tips:
The ideas shared above can significantly improve remote employee engagement. To streamline and enhance these efforts, consider using Litespace, the first-ever all-in-one platform integrating onboarding, growth, performance, and engagement. Book a Demo to see how we can help engage your team and increase productivity.
Vicky is a Marketing Intern at Litespace with experience in event planning and content writing, currently pursuing a Marketing Management program at George Brown College. Specializing in creating engaging content and coordinating events, she's excited to leverage her expertise to enhance brand visibility and develop strategic marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences.