Many businesses outsource their work to other companies and hire remote employees. This can be a great way to save money, but it also has its drawbacks. In this blog post, we will discuss five best practices for managing remote employees that you should consider if you want your company to function smoothly.
Improve communication with remote employees. Managers need to be available and accessible to their workers. Managers that work from home need to create a schedule that ensures they can receive phone calls or messages during all hours of operation. It is also recommended to have a separate email address specifically for work purposes, so employees know when you are busy and should wait before sending another message.
Build Trust by Getting Out in the Field
Managers who travel around and visit teams in person keep everyone on point and more productive, while remote managers miss out on opportunities to enhance their skills by interacting with other members of their team. According to Inc., there are many benefits of regularly visiting your on-site team such as building trust, having fewer misunderstandings, and reducing errors. This is something that can be done regularly, such as one day a month.
Make Use of Technology
While it’s important to have regular communication with remote employees, don’t forget about the power of technology. There are many tools available that can help you stay connected with your team, such as video conferencing, chat apps, and file sharing. Utilize these tools to your advantage and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Set Goals and Track Progress
Managers need to set goals for their team and track their progress. This allows managers to identify any potential problems early on and ensure that everyone is working towards the same targets. You can use tools like ClickUp to assign tasks and manage progress in one place.
Help Remote Employees Stay Engaged
Remote jobs aren’t for everybody, as some people prefer interacting with coworkers face-to-face or working onsite rather than remotely. If you’ve hired workers that prefer desk jobs, be prepared to help them feel more engaged and make sure they don’t get bored throughout the day. To help your team stay engaged, it is recommended to rotate their responsibilities and create a work schedule that makes everyone feel comfortable.