Articles : Strategies to Help Remote Workers Feel More Connected

Working remotely has a lot of benefits. Employees don’t have to spend time commuting, because of not having a commute some employees don’t have to get up as early, you have more time with your family, and it can be easier to schedule picking up kids.

However, there is a downside as well. With many employees working from home, they are isolated from their co-workers, which means they can fall into feeling very lonely and isolated throughout their workday.

Below we have provided employers with some tips on how they can encourage employee interaction within their workplace.

1. Frequent Communication
Keep in contact with your co-workers and managers often. If you don’t reach out, you’re at risk of going quiet among other employees. Ensure you ask questions if you need to, ask for support if there is too much on your plate, ask for a second set of eyes to look at something, etc.

2.  Update Leaders
Don’t wait until a manager or boss asks you about your progress. Update the progress on a project or tasks on your own by sending them a quick email about where you’re at and when you are planning on finishing it. This helps to keep them in the loop.

3. Listen
In a virtual meeting, show that you are listening by asking follow-up questions or reiterating what one of your co-workers said. Avoid looking down or away – it shows that you are distracted.

In addition, dress professionally at ZOOM meetings. Don’t wear your PJs or your sweatshirt. Also, keep in mind what’s in your background, ensure there is minimal clutter and remove anything unprofessional away.

4. Respond in a Timely Manner
Don’t linger responding to emails. If you are busy, send a quick email responding to the person about being in the middle of something and when you’ll likely respond back. With people being in different places, it can be hard to know what time works best for everyone and when they are most busy, so remember to communicate it.

5. Schedule Casual Meetings
Set aside some time to meet your coworkers in a casual setting. You could set up a ZOOM meeting on a Friday, for example, just to update everyone on how you’re doing. It doesn’t have to be too long, but it can be an easy way for everyone to reconnect in a non-work way.

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