While virtual offices, working from home, and hybrid work cultures have been gaining popularity for some time, with a few companies testing the waters before the pandemic, they received increased attention during the pandemic. Team members in this type of organisation support their colleagues, are committed to the company's mission, and are committed to their work. Consistent productivity and mutual admiration are signs of a strong virtual work culture.
To achieve this, there are different strategies management can put in place to develop a well-effective remote work culture.
Clear communication is one of the first things to pay attention to, as that is what will keep the company productive. Understanding the restraints, audio video lags are just the crux of it. Humans not only communicate verbally but non-verbal cues and nuances are also important. In a remote setting, where most conversations may happen through text or voice calls, misunderstandings can spring up from anything. To minimise that, video calls are an effective solution. Having one-on-one conversations, after-work socialising calls, etc. can be of great help.
Making use of suitable tools for productivity and an efficient work culture is also another strategy for maintaining a structure that an employee can follow and work over. Using tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, etc., can make it easier for employees to connect with colleagues and associates. There are many web apps and services that can help employees with tracking, following, collaborating, and maintaining balance in life and work. Employees should be encouraged to use them, and also making them aware of those apps is necessary. Microsoft teams, for example, have a boatload of apps and features which integrate and work together with the groups and chats, making it interesting and easier for work to be done and organized.
Establishing a structured check-in time with each employee or team is necessary to make sure they know that they can consult with you and that any of their concerns or questions will be heard. This also helps the employees feel valued, as most times, remote employees may feel disconnected from the company and, hence, communication is an important factor rather than just dumping tasks and emails. Setting a rule of engagement can work to improve the way employees communicate, sharing the same set of expectations for communication. Setting an ideal time, letting them know how and when they can reach on a workday, etc., can help.
Trusting and granting autonomy to your employees is another strategy where constant monitoring and micromanagement are thrown out the window. Since employers can’t directly observe their remote employees, a high level of trust is necessary. Working from home will require self-determination and self-motivation, and hence, teams can lose time and motivation when employees have to wait for the next instructions. However, when employees feel empowered to make decisions, they feel more confident and purposeful in their work.
Increasing engagement within the company by allowing for different departments to talk to each other, which per se they wouldn’t normally do, using specific topics or topics of interest-based groups/channels in the communication tool is a good way of keeping everyone connected and associated. Humans are social beings, and we only feel alive when we are acknowledged and believe that we belong where we are.
Appreciation is another important element that, if not paid attention to, can lead to the employees just draining out of motivation and underperforming, especially in remote working conditions. Using any means that is available, giving due credit or appreciation to the employees or even an entire team can help keep up spirits and allow everyone to feel valued and respected in the company, which, as a result, can also motivate them to improve themselves even more.
Part of the appeal of working from home is the freedom to work when and where. Remote workers can run errands or complete tasks between meetings, or they can log in early in the morning or late at night. When working remotely, working hours do not depend on the opening hours of the office building, allowing employees to design the ideal working day and optimal working environment. Leaves, vacations, holidays, and weekends should be days when an employee can stay disconnected from work
Staying visible is another aspect that employees should be encouraged to practice; in an office setting, we get a lot of interaction and attention, so you should always be visible to your boss and co-workers. But that’s not the case when you work remotely, and hence, staying visible is hard. So, encouraging employees to update about what they are working on through the main group/channel on the app or platform, encouraging employees to seek feedback, and promoting prompt replies will enable everyone to stay connected and not wander off waiting around for responses, which is a waste of time and energy. Making employees aware of healthy habits and the risks of working and sitting for hours together, listening to their concerns, and keeping everyone engaged and connected are also other ways in which an effective remote work culture can be developed.
In a survey done with 500 people about remote work, the results were pretty surprising. 91% of remote workers said that working remotely is a good fit for them and also 96% of remote workers would recommend working remotely to a friend. Remote working is going to be more prevalent. The penetration level of an organisation depends on the sector. A software company is better equipped to manage remote teams than a logistics hub.
Most companies have indicated that they want a hybrid model after the pandemic ends in 2023. Employees will be in the office for a few days and work from home the rest of the time, putting a toll on the employee since he/she will need to adjust his/her time and mental energy to adjust here and there. While it may seem difficult to introduce and strengthen a company culture in a distributed workforce, it is not difficult to create a strong remote work culture. If you adopt a servant leadership style, prioritise the employee experience, and build a purposeful approach to building virtual teams, you are positioning your company to foster a global culture. presentable, attractive, and healthy.
The most obvious sign of a strong remote work culture is a sense of belonging. Employees will feel connected to their colleagues and the mission of the company, even if they don't share a physical workspace. Happy employees make friends with colleagues and share positive feelings about the company. A sign of a healthy team can be an active team group and good attendance for virtual team events. Positive productivity is one of the key indicators of a good workplace culture. Employees who feel connected to the culture perform best and exceed expectations.
With our clients, we have made great strides. This has always been possible because of a committed team. Similarly, we support offering a recruiting service that optimally balances the requirements of businesses and the potential of candidates by hand-selecting applicants for the most advantageous job positions in a very efficient manner.
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