Remote working or working from home was supposed to be a short-term solution to the threat of COVID-19. It allows employees to work remotely in order to reduce travel and congregation thus, reducing the spread of the virus and the risk of contracting the disease. Back in March, when the pandemic sent us all into lockdown and the work from home experiment started, businesses and organizations had no idea if the move would be successful. Fast-forward to today, remote work has turned into a long-term solution and a possible work option.

Still a lot of employers struggle to adapt to the fact that they are no longer able to walk over to an employee to check in and see how tasks are progressing. Here are some tips to help better manage remote workers:

1. Offer trust and flexibility – in this context, trust is about making sure that you give your direct reports the resources (such as tools, information, access, and guidance) that they need to get their work done – and then, be able to get out of their way. The best way to offer them trust is to allow them the flexibility to choose when and how they want to get the job done.
2. Give them autonomy – allow your direct reports to be able to direct their own lives. Giving direct reports autonomy over their projects not only encourages them to see the project through to completion, but also encourages them to give their best because they have ownership and accountability. You hired them, after all. So, assume that they are competent to deliver while encouraging excellence. Trust that they will be able to get the job done.
3. Be an example – don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk. If your company is big on work-life balance as stated in your mission-vision, you have to lead by example. Show your employees that you value and even encourage time off. And don’t just preach about it, you have to actually take time off yourself. Be public when you do it as well so that employees can see that you have a work-life balance, and it’s not just platitudes.
4. Communicate well and often – too many one-on-ones can feel like micromanagement, but too little can also be a problem, too. Without proper communication, remote workers are left to assume that they are on the right track and won’t be able to course-correct until it’s too late. So provide regular feedback. Schedule regular check-in calls and make it a video call – not a phone call. So many things will be missed if you are unable to see facial expressions and body language. Use your regular catch-ups to check in on how they’re doing and also chat about non-work related things that aren’t too personal. It’s a way to build rapport and also get feedback on what’s going well or if they have pressing concerns.

Do you have tips to better manage remote workers? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!