Many companies have extended remote work through the end of the year. With employees working from home longer, leaders face increasing challenges to inspire their teams and to stay connected. Here are five simple ways to keep your remote employees engaged.

1.     Allow employees to control their schedules.

What really matters most at the end of the day is that your employee gets his/her work done and meets deadlines. By now you’re aware of each employee’s home situation and personal needs. Some are juggling childcare needs, home schooling and work schedules while others may have specific living situations which make it hard to clock in and out during normal business hours. As a leader, it’s important to be considerate of your employees’ personal needs and be flexible with their work schedules. Allowing your employees to choose their work schedules will help them feel more committed and productive. 

2.     Have patience and communicate more frequently.

Communicating continually with your team day in and day out helps keep them informed and up-to-date, focused on the right tasks, and reassures them they’re doing their part on the team and for the organization. Repeating important information, revising deliverables and being transparent throughout the week helps reduce uncertainty and miscommunication and promotes collaboration and engagement. 

3.     Schedule one-to-one check-ins.

To help employees feel connected and supported, schedule weekly one-to-ones with each member. Start off meetings by asking your employee how he/she is doing and how things are going at home rather than jumping right into business. Once they’ve given you a personal update, move on to business. Check-ins are a way for you to keep the pulse on your employee and help them stay focused on projects that matters most for the week. Your team members will appreciate your compassion and support.

4.     Plan “funtivities”.

Remote work has removed an element of informal social interaction from our work lives such as seeing our peers every day or sharing a joke or a story to break up the busy work day. As humans, we crave connection and the fun and laughter of such moments. To keep the team connected to each other and reduce the sense of isolation created by remote work, plan fun activities such as virtual scavenger hunts, team breakfasts or lunches, cook clubs, and wine tastings. 

5.     Celebrate wins – big and small.

Now more than ever, employees thrive on recognition and praise. Recognize your employees for their accomplishments and achievements.  “We’re in a world that desperately needs kindness, recognition and empathy,” said Debra Corey at a session of the WorldatWork’s opening session last week. (From HR Executive) Shout out thank you’s or distribute e-gift cards to show your appreciation. A good word and a token of gratitude makes employees feel valued, proud of their work and eager to do more.

These are just a few ways to help your team stay productive and engaged while working remotely. As leaders, we all must be intentional, authentic and consistent in our communication in order to ensure our employees are valued, part of a team and, most importantly, heard.