10 Useful Tips for Managing Remote Employees

A survey by Gallup in 2015 reported a 37% increase in telecommuting over the last decade and further increase in the popularity of remote working has been forecasted. In light of this popularity,a new dynamic of work relationships and behavior has opened up. Hence,we will discuss 10 useful tips to manage remote employees and ensure their potential is maximized.

1. Understand Why Employees Choose to Work Remotely

For managing remote employees effectively,it is necessary to understand that they choose this mode of working because it allows them freedom,convenience of schedule and a healthy work-life balance. One way to make sure you maximize these benefits for them is not to micromanage employees’ working style.

2. Clearly Explain Your Expectations

Perhaps the best time to coherently convey the targets and expectations of the firm is when they are being brought onboard. It also ensures that the employers find the right person for the job. However,it is important to realize that the dynamic nature of the goals of firms necessitates that the employees are informed and reminded of these expectations before they lose sight of the goal.

3. Develop an Effective Evaluation Strategy

For managing employees remotely,a balance between freedom and ensuring tasks are fulfilled is necessary. Evaluations must be conducted in a way and at intervals which don’t make remote employees feel they are being treated differently. Public discussions of what they accomplished in a particular day can be encouraged. They can be advised to post lists of tasks that they want to accomplish in a day or a week and at the end of the week report on how well they did.

4. Adopt a Video Conferencing Solution

According to some studies more than 50% of communication between humans does not involve any words. In light of this,remote workers are disadvantaged. Hence,the importance of adopting a video conferencing solution cannot be emphasized enough. It is an efficient use of time to talk about important issues,such as performance with workers face-to-face,too. More importantly,video conferencing solution instills a feeling of trust and comfort between workers.

ezTalks Cloud Meeting is a trustworthy and easy-to-use video conferencing software that can prove to be imponderably helpful to achieve this end. ezTalks offers remote video communication by online video meeting,which offers a wide variety of features to simulate a real meeting. Up to 500 employees can attend the conference with HD audio and video. You can also record online meetings and share screens and applications,and more to make sure everyone is on the same page.

5. Inculcate the Team Spirit

Another tips for remote employee management is that transparency about the internal management of the firm is a very necessary element in building trust in a working environment. Additionally,an awareness of the stake that workers carry in the goals of the firm instills a sense of responsibility by creating a sense of personal investment in the process. Accompanied with the aforementioned public discussions of personal targets may even encourage to help each other out and increase productivity.

6. Inculcate Family Spirit

When it comes to how to manage remote workers,it is important to realize that remote workers feel like they belong to the work family,and don’t feel detached or expendable. To develop this family spirit,it requires the employers to get to know the workers on a personal basis - conversations beyond work,such as discussions about family and interests,which can help in building this feeling.

7. Increase Familiarity between Workers

To create a friendly working environment,social event can be organized. Sessions where workers share their interests and learn about the unique characteristics of each other is one to achieve this. Grand annual meetings where everyone comes together to work and bond over some drinks could also be helpful.

8. Plan And Organize

For managing remote workers,thorough planning before hosting online meetings with remote workers and assigning goals is also very important. Online meetings require more time for workers to know the topics to be discussed and prepare. The meetings should be followed up by a recap through email which may include the outcomes of the meetings.

9. Help Employees Achieve Their Goals

It is also advisable to learn about what the employees expect from their work experience and what bigger aspirations they have. By helping employees achieve their potential in areas,they are passionate about the firm can benefit overall.

10. Accommodate Outliers

The last tip about how to manage remote employees is that it is important to not let any individual member feel left out. For example,if the workforce is based largely in one city and it is inconvenient for a particular employee to make online meetings at a time of majority’s convenience,schedule at least one meeting at a time where this employer is comfortable.

All in all,there is enormous potential for increased productivity in remote working which can be achieved if employers pay attention to the needs of remote employees that differs from office workers,and understand how to effectively manage remote employees. Keep remote employees informed,engaged and perform at their best,which finally translates into a positive impact for your business.