Company culture with remote workers has taken the spotlight in 2020. As the demographics have evolved and new generations enter the workforce, culture has grown in importance to workers. At the same time, remote working has become more common around the globe: A report from Global Workplace Analytics shows the trend has grown 173% in the last 15 years, with 80% of employees now wanting to work from home for at least a portion of their work week.
Yet, business leaders know it often takes extra effort to prevent these employees from feeling like they’re on an island, while at the same time respecting th
e flexibility and diversity of environments that change employee base values.
But for employees used to that daily connection – coffee breaks with a coworker, morning standup meetings, happy hours – the shift to remote work can be a bit jarring.
If you’re like most business leaders, you’ll fiercely defend the culture you’ve helped create. Which is why it’s so important to constantly reinforce your company culture with remote workers and every employee or contractor you have working for you right now. Start with these important steps:
Trust is vital more than ever now
Employees need to know they’re supported and trusted by management to get the job done, especially during these uncertain times. Many professionals are now balancing a full workday on top of homeschooling and their daycare needs. Flexible working is all about versatility, and you’ll build a strong culture around remote working if you give employees freedom and trust.
Don’t skip the small talk
When you’re not physically in the same space, it’s easy to treat planned video meetings with a strict business-focused approach. Make room in your meetings for chit-chat and personal conversation. Often, these types of human interaction are the building blocks to a cohesive team and a strong culture.
Continue to recognize and reward
It’s still important to find ways to recognize special events, like birthdays, as well as the good work being done. For some, working from home can be isolating. These small acts and words of recognition and thanks go a long way.
Offer additional opportunities to your team
From webinars to online classes, there are many choices that allow your remote employees to explore topics that interest them and to work through them at their own pace.
Remember, building and maintaining a strong company culture isn’t accomplished overnight. Try to commit to incorporating small daily acts that contribute to your overall goals in a positive way.
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