6 tips to increase engagement of home workers

Corona changed our lives in several ways. The shift from office work to working from home may have been the biggest change for many. Yet we are becoming more accustomed to the new normal and sometimes this new work situation feels like it has never been any different. Working from home is still a long way off and will only grow in popularity in the future.

More and more, our lives seem to be moving toward a "phygital" lifestyle. This is a way of life where the physical aspect (going to work, meeting up with colleagues...) is combined with a digital aspect. During the podcast with Inge Van Belle (a must-hear if you want to know more about employee engagement during these bizarre times), we already talked about how the mindset of employees is changing. At the beginning of the lockdown, employees were remarkably positive about working from home: traffic jams were avoided, one could work in a familiar environment, one was more productive and so on. Unfortunately, this positive mindset is coming to an end. Home workers are once again longing for the social aspect (seeing colleagues, the feeling of belonging to a team, informal chats in the corridor...). Employees who work from home experience loneliness more often and also find it harder to get (internal) information.

Time for a new wave of employee engagement tips!

What is employee engagement?

Employee engagement is the level of involvement between an employee and their employer. It contributes to employee job satisfaction and productivity and is a very important factor in employee turnover. The more engaged your employees are with your company, the more preferable and longer they will work for the company. So it is even more important during this difficult time to invest in employee engagement, especially for home-based workers.

How do you increase the engagement of your home workers?

1. Provide your team with the necessary "tools.

Make sure your homeworkers have everything they need.
A major frustration among home workers is that they do not have everything available to them that is present in the office. Therefore, provide packages that fulfill this need. This can range from the right software tools and desk materials to do their job well to other benefits of the office: such as coffee, drinks and food.

2. Bring your team together (coronaproof).

Provide team building activities (coronaproof). Replace Friday afternoon drinks with a video call where everyone can catch up. Still prefer a physical meeting moment? Herculean Alliance offers team-building activities that respect social distancing. These activities are directly linked to the mission and vision of the company, which increases the involvement of your employees.

In addition to physical team building, you can of course also opt for a digital alternative. For example, schedule a call in which you can catch up on issues that happen outside of work. There are also plenty of games, such as quizzes for example, that you can play remotely.

3. Give a heartfelt thank you!

Give enough attention to a heartfelt virtual thank you!
Thank your homeschoolers for their extra effort during this bizarre time. This can be done with a gift, but a sincere thank you also works wonders! Take extensive time to talk with your employees and sincerely thank them for what they do.

4.Do the necessary check-ins

Provide structured check-ins through various communication channels.
Imagine a situation where you only talk to your friends via text message. Terrible, isn't it? Even at work, one communication channel is not enough. So make sure you check in with your employees on a regular and structured basis. That way, you are immediately aware of any problems and home workers feel they can lean on their employer.

5. Show appreciation and support

Offer emotional support and be there for your homeworkers.
We are currently in a strange situation that can bring out unexpected emotions in anyone. Stress, anxiety and uncertainty are not only hindering efficiency, but also the overall health of your employees. Offer support to ensure that your employees get through this period as smoothly as possible.

6. Celebrate realizations!

Work hard, play hard: a phrase that has become harder and harder to achieve in recent months. Make time to celebrate! Celebrate the end of a project, a bid won, an email from a satisfied customer ... a personal goal achieved or birthdays! This way, you signal to employees that your company is about more than just work.

Conclusion

Employee engagement is definitely a must during these corona times. Fortunately, there are several ways to engage your home workers more, even without physical contact!

What steps will you take yourself in the coming weeks? Be sure to let us know via our social media channels!

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