It is not easy to manage remote workers from home. In fact, managing any type of worker can be a daunting task to undertake, even for the most experienced manager. The world is changing, and it seems like a new trend is always popping up that requires the necessary skills to understand the different work habits that employees possess.
By being faced with the current COVID-19 challenge, you may still be forced to undergo remote work which may have been conducted face to face otherwise. However, there are a few great ways that can help with the management of your remote staff and ensure that efficiency prevails while working from home.
1. Mandate Checking In
Due to your staff working from home, you have no idea how they conduct their time that is needed for work. To resolve this, having time and attendance systems in place will allow you to manage your staff easily.
This does not imply that you do not trust your staff; it just means you are having them remain accountable for their work, which shows that they are productive. You can take it one step further by requiring staff to participate in a daily group video call meeting to ensure how the day’s work gets conducted and progress. While conducting your meetings, make sure to listen and note any update or concerns your staff may have.
2. Provide Digital Recognition
Working from home can include a lot of distraction and feeling sidetracked. Integrating a digital system that will provide recognition will help maintain productivity.
By providing recognition, you are able to keep staff motivated and tell your staff members the type of habits that get rewarded. This allows the staff also to know the type of habits to show on a daily basis.
3. Avoid Being Controlling
If micromanaging was your thing in the office, it wouldn’t fly anymore while working from home. This is due to a change in commitments that would change everything. Depending on the work, some staff may want to work late, or some may want to start earlier. So, concentrating on individual activity will be counterproductive and would prevent you from centring your attention to your outcome.
4. Maintain Good Communication
Communicating with your remote staff is just as important as knowing that they are staying productive. There are a few ways that assist with communicating, such as using a group chat such as Hangout from Google or Asana, which can help sustain workflow.
5. Convey What Is Expected
By conveying what is expected, your remote staff will become less confused. Because of this change, you need to continue to convey what is expected for as long as necessary. When you do, the workflow will be more structured.
A good way to convey your expectations is by conducting teleconference staff meetings every week. You can use any method; the point is to ensure that your remote staff knows the job’s expectations since they are no longer in the original workspace or office.
6. Employ Equipment Crucial for the Job
We have great equipment currently available on the market that keeps us all linked together that allows us to share ideas easily. Having this ability is likely the most advantageous benefit of all. Similar to what we’ve mentioned earlier, the equipment available is perfect for teleconferences. The best part is the flexibility that they provide, and being web-based allow you to conduct meetings from virtually anywhere.
7. Keep An Eye Out For Employee Anxiety
Throughout the day, what matters the most is the overall productivity that a company is able to maintain. However, when staff experienced anxiety, productivity could decrease dramatically and create a compromising situation for all staff. Because of such an uncertain work environment, the culture of working remotely has drastically changed in the way the office now operates. Remote workers who suffer from anxiety are obvious. Because of this, you must give your full understanding and reassurance.
Plus, many studies have shown that workers experiencing any crisis will turn to a supervisor for guidance. But if a supervisor is unable to help, then you can guarantee that other staff members will know about it.
Consequently, supervisors should ensure that the correct communication lines are also open so that their employee needs are heard and maintaining positivity so that the employee can remain empowered throughout the predicament.
What It All Boils Down To
Leading any staff could create a brand new way of conducting daily business. A problem is the inability to keep everyone connected and feeling like a team while also ensuring the best communication is available.
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