Prioritizing Employees in Remote Workplaces: How You Can Help

Is work-from-home truly benefiting our employees? 

This question has been top of mind for many organizations after the rise of remote and hybrid work setups following the pandemic. While this transition has undoubtedly pushed teams forward and introduced greater flexibility, it has also fostered an “always on” mentality and heightened feelings of isolation. In this context, employee well-being has never been more crucial. 

Research shows that prioritizing employee well-being not only results in enhanced customer service but also team members who naturally advocate for your brand, creating a positive and energized atmosphere that boosts morale and attracts prospective clients. Additionally, promoting employee well-being has been proven to increase workplace productivity. 

Here are a few tips on how leaders can improve employee well-being: 

1. Set up a conversation. Whether you’re working remotely or in an office, scheduling regular check-ins with your staff is important. This gives your employees a chance to have open, honest conversations with you about what they’re dealing with and any support they may need. Don’t overpower the conversation; let them lead and offer advice when appropriate.
   
2. Give recognition. Everyone loves to feel appreciated and valued for the work they are contributing. Therefore, it is important to carve out time to celebrate one another. One effective approach is to organize monthly team meetings focused on celebrating the organization’s achievements and acknowledging the key contributors. 

With this, it is important to consider the generational differences in recognition preferences. Recent research indicates that while older generations like Generation X and Baby Boomers may need less acknowledgment, Generation Z and Millennials appreciate more frequent recognition, up to multiple times a month. 

1. Share tips. Working from home can be draining, both mentally and physically. Having a common platform for team members to share daily habits that improve both physical and mental well-being can be helpful. This might involve sharing short meditation videos for stress relief or encouraging the use of standing/walking meetings.
2. Encourage a work-life balance. The fine line between work and personal life can often be blurred when working remotely. Fostering a healthy work environment is essential for boosting job satisfaction, lowering burnout, and retaining employees. Therefore, it’s important to encourage staff to prioritize self-care and to incorporate “Mental Health Days” into their compensation package, allowing them dedicated time off to focus on their mental well-being. 
3. Make time to bond. Fostering workplace friendships not only enhances collaboration and teamwork but also creates a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and understood. Many organizations create Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which can help form relationships and foster a sense of belonging. 
4. Provide opportunities for professional development. Making sure employees have the opportunity to set, track, and attain their professional goals is key. This involves giving them opportunities to learn new skills, change roles, and recognize their efforts through promotions.

It’s time to jump on board. Organizations have already made remarkable progress in enhancing employee well-being. According to an article by Forbes, while nearly 70% of their members offer workplace flexibility, almost half combine this with expanded well-being benefits. This includes free online counseling sessions and initiatives to train leaders on empathetic leadership. 

To learn more about how we can help with leadership development, click here.