What are the best ways for your business to effectively manage remote workers throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? Here's what you need to know.
7 Ways to Effectively Manage Your Remote Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
If you allow your employees to work remotely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, that’s great! Clearly, you’re doing your part to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. You’re also showing your employees you care about their health and wellbeing, since you’re letting them do work they would normally do in your office from the comfort and safety of home.
There’s a lot to like about letting your employees work from home. But, as much as you trust your employees to get the job done remotely, you’re still worried about their productivity.
WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE
When your employees work from home, they can do as they please, whenever they want. It’s easy for remote workers to get distracted, especially if they are working at home with other family members nearby. Or, there’s always the risk that remote workers will spend their days binge-watching TV, checking their social media feeds, and engaging in other non-work activities.
You expect a lot from your team, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, you cannot manage your employees the same way you did when you worked in your office. However, if you adjust your management style, you can effectively manage your remote workers.
EMPOWER YOUR REMOTE WORKERS
To manage remote workers during the coronavirus pandemic, empower them. If you give your remote workers the ability to show what they can do on their own, you may be pleasantly surprised by what they can accomplish. Some research even suggests remote workers may actually outperform their in-office counterparts — so, just think of what you can accomplish if you effectively manage your remote workers.
Here are a few ways you can effectively manage your remote workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
1. Schedule Daily Check-Ins
Set up a regular time each day to check in with remote employees. This lets you see how your remote workers are doing, share your thoughts and feedback with them, and ensure your employees are getting the support they need.
2. Provide Multiple Communication Options
Enable remote workers to stay connected via email, video chat, and other communication platforms. And remember, when it comes to keeping in touch with remote workers during the coronavirus pandemic, the more communication options, the better.
3. Establish Ground Rules
Let remote employees know when you expect them to be available during the work day and when you’re available. If you feel comfortable, you can also encourage employees to reach out to you any time they have concerns or questions, even if it is outside of your traditional business hours.
4. Set Up Social Gatherings
Prioritize social engagement. Events like virtual pizza parties (which involve remote workers getting pizza delivered to their respective homes, then enjoying it together via video chat) can help remote workers realize they’re not alone.
5. Offer Support
Provide resources to help remote workers cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Make it simple for workers to access these resources any time they need them.
6. Maintain Flexibility
Give your remote employees plenty of flexibility. Work is not top of mind for your employees at this time; the coronavirus pandemic will eventually pass, and at that point, you should expect a boost in employee productivity. Until that time, offer flexible work options, and tell your remote employees how much you value them and their contributions as often as possible.
7. Collect and Review Feedback
Let your remote employees provide you with feedback on how you can effectively manage them. There is always room for improvement, so take employee feedback and apply it to your day-to-day efforts.
MANAGE WITH PURPOSE — DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND BEYOND
I hope you find these tips for effectively managing remote workers helpful. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way you need to manage your employees, but these tips can help you become a better manager — both now and in the future.
At Headfarmer, we want to help your business grow and thrive during the coronavirus pandemic and after it passes. If we can assist you in any way, please reach out.
