Remote Work Culture: Maintaining Engagement and Productivity

Remote working, which involves employees doing their jobs from home or somewhere else instead of going to an office, has been around since the 1990s. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced many people to start working from home suddenly. As more companies embrace remote work, they have discovered the benefits of flexibility and cost savings. 

However, the quick transition has also created new challenges, especially when it comes to keeping employees engaged and productive. With remote work becoming the norm for many organizations, it's crucial to develop ways to create a strong remote work culture that keeps employees connected, motivated, and performing at their best.

If you’re wondering how to do that for your company, keep reading. In this article, we will cover:

• Challenges of remote work

• Examples of companies with successful remote work cultures

• Best practices for a high-performing remote workforce

• Tools that make remote work easier and more successful

Looking at these key points will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for you to build and maintain a thriving remote work culture.

Challenges of remote work

Despite 63% of employees placing importance on the option of remote work over salary and 62% of workers reporting increased productivity and happiness with remote and flexible options, they still face the following challenges:

• Burnout: Burnout, a state of exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, is a significant concern for remote workers. The blurred line between home and work can lead to difficulty disconnecting, with at least 41% of remote employees reporting stress and sleep issues, which increases their risk of burnout. Detecting burnout can be challenging, as its symptoms closely resemble those of stress. However, the key difference is that burnout affects all aspects of an individual's life, not just their work performance. 

• Isolation: Isolation is a state of being alone or disconnected from others. Since remote work often results in reduced or no face-to-face communication with colleagues, this can cause employees to feel cut off from their team and the organization as a whole. If left unaddressed, feelings of isolation can lead to severe mental health issues.

• Distractions: Working from home can make employees more productive since they can start tasks right after virtual meetings and have fewer interruptions. But remote work also has distractions, like social media, that can hurt productivity. Family responsibilities, such as taking care of kids and chores, can also make it hard for remote workers to focus on their jobs, sometimes leading to overtime.

Companies with successful remote work cultures

Despite the challenges outlined above, many companies have thriving remote work cultures:

• Zapier: Zapier, a workflow automation software company, has been 100% remote since its founding in 2011. The company's founders, Wade Foster, Bryan Helmig, and Mike Knoop, all lived in the same state but had different schedules. They decided to work remotely and independently to accommodate their needs. As of January 2022, Zapier employs approximately 500 people across 38 countries, showcasing the success of their remote work model.

• Canva: Canva is another company with a thriving remote work culture. The organization allows each hire to choose the work style that best suits their needs, whether it's hybrid, permanent remote, or onsite. Canva believes that a career pathway shouldn't be determined by proximity to a physical office, and this philosophy has led to the majority of their employees working remotely today.

• Doist: Doist is a business that embodies its motto, "built by remote workers, for remote workers." With 68 employees spread across 25 countries, Doist has mastered the art of remote work. The company's secret to success lies in its emphasis on high order and new working concepts, such as ownership of problems and solutions, objective-centered action, and asynchronous communication. 

What exactly do these companies do to this success when it comes to remote work?

Nurturing a high-performing remote workforce: best practices

To maintain high levels of engagement and productivity among remote workers, companies do the following:

Build a strong remote work culture

Building a strong remote work culture is essential for the success of any organization with remote employees. A well-established culture helps to maintain employee engagement, productivity, and overall well-being. It also ensures that remote workers feel connected to their colleagues and the company's mission, despite their physical distance. 

Work culture relies on three essential pillars: trust, effective communication, and shared goals. Trust is crucial for any successful company, and leaders must trust the processes they've established and the people they've hired. Setting clear guidelines and scheduling regular check-ins help ensure that everyone is on the same page, fostering engagement and a sense of belonging.

Effective communication is vital for accurately relaying information and improving team efficiency and relationships. It should be clear, concise, coherent, and considerate of the receiver's perspective and needs. Choosing the appropriate medium for each conversation, using comfortable communication tools, and avoiding multitasking during discussions are essential for promoting understanding and connection.

Finally, shared goals unite teams and create processes that efficiently help them reach their objectives. These goals provide a clear direction and a sense of unity, letting remote workers collaborate effectively and contribute to the company's success.  Organizations can achieve faster growth and higher profitability by working towards a common purpose. 

Regular check-ins and communications

Aside from having a good culture, it's crucial to ensure that remote workers feel like they’re connected to their colleagues and the organization, even when working from a distance.

One way to achieve this is by having managers and supervisors communicate and regularly check in on remote workers to catch any problems with workload, stress, or mental health early on. This way, teams can stay on the same page, and managers can ensure that no one is overwhelmed.

Building strong relationships is also important. Using apps like Messenger and WhatsApp to chat about life outside of work can help employees feel cared for and connected. Virtual coffee breaks and home tours during video calls can boost morale and a sense of community.

Regular communication also means recognizing and prioritizing employee contributions. Praising good work can increase motivation. Getting feedback with surveys or one-on-one calls makes sure everyone feels heard and valued, which helps prevent isolation and disengagement.

Provide personal development and growth opportunities

One more way to keep remote workers engaged and productive is to give them chances for continuous learning to help them stay competitive in today's fast-changing business world. Managers should create a culture where learning is encouraged by showing interest in their team's development and giving them opportunities to use new skills. This not only makes employees more engaged but also shows that the company values its remote employees and wants to help them succeed in the long run

Investing in a learning management system (LMS) is a good way to provide learning experiences that meet the needs of your remote team. For example, TalentLMS has a built-in video conferencing feature that helps managers and learners feel more connected, making it easier to provide personalized guidance and support.

Measuring and enhancing remote work performance

While providing for the needs of remote workers is essential, it's equally important for managers to monitor their performance. Doing so ensures that employees are meeting expectations, and contributing to company goals, and allows for the identification of areas for improvement or recognition of outstanding work.

To effectively manage remote teams and ensure that staff remains productive, engaged, and committed to organizational objectives, businesses should use key performance indicators (KPIs) that capture the volume and quality of work produced. Companies can measure and enhance remote work performance with various tools to make data-driven decisions to optimize productivity and engagement:

• Track progress and workflow using platforms such as Asana and Trello. These tools provide visibility into project status, deadlines, and individual tasks, making it easier to identify bottlenecks and ensure timely completion of work.

• As mentioned earlier, facilitate communication through various apps to maintain a sense of connection, foster collaboration, and keep everyone on the same page.

• Document everything through cloud storage solutions like Google Drive and Dropbox. This empowers employees to collaborate and share data seamlessly, ensuring that everyone has access to the information they need to perform their jobs effectively.

The future of remote work

With some CEOs believing that remote work cannot replicate the dynamics of the actual office, many companies are reevaluating their remote work policies. However, the option to work remotely is likely here to stay, with the prediction that employees are willing to forgo up to $6,000 in annual salary for the privilege of working from home. To balance these competing demands, a hybrid work model that combines remote and in-office work is emerging as the dominant trend.

According to McKinsey, 90% of employers plan to offer a hybrid work model in the future and over 70% of U.S. companies use hybrid in their businesses today. Therefore, as a leader looking to create a strong remote work culture that keeps employees connected, motivated, and performing at their best, you should adapt to this new reality. Consider taking the following steps:

• Offer your employees the option to work remotely, in-office, or a combination of both. This will help you attract and retain top talent while boosting employee satisfaction and productivity.

• Provide your team with the necessary tools and technologies to facilitate seamless communication, collaboration, and performance tracking, regardless of their work location.

• Regularly communicate with your employees, set clear expectations, and trust them to do their jobs effectively. This will help maintain a strong sense of connection and purpose within your team.

• Offer support and resources to help your employees manage stress, avoid burnout, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This will not only improve their overall well-being but also enhance their job satisfaction and performance.

By doing these and staying adaptable to the ever-changing work landscape, you'll be well-equipped to create a thriving remote work culture that drives your organization's success in the years to come, even as the future of work continues to evolve.