How to Incentivize Employees Working from Home to Work Harder
Working remotely has become more common due to the pandemic. Even as the health crisis starts to be under control, many people still prefer the work from home setup. They have a more flexible schedule. They can also be with family and not sacrifice a lot of things. The pandemic has also shown that it’s possible for these people to work remotely. As long as they can get the job done, the company won’t be at risk.
The only problem is the remote location might lower overall motivation. Hence, it’s crucial that you find ways to incentivize these employees. They’re still a part of your team and must be given sufficient motivation to work harder. Here’s how.
Offer health benefits
Just because these employees are working remotely doesn’t mean they no longer need healthcare. They can still get even outside an office. They might also get sick due to work-related burdens. Offering comprehensive health insurance will motivate these people to work harder.
Show that you care
While you don’t force the employee to meet online with you all the time, it still helps that you connect whenever possible. It shows that you care about the overall well-being of the employee. You should also avoid discussing work-related matters at all times. Asking how the employee feels or if there’s anything you can help can go a long way. You can still be an excellent and compassionate leader despite not seeing your employees in person.
Offer feedback
It’s easier to offer feedback to someone who works with you in the same building. You can walk to that person’s area and talk about the output. You can’t do the same for someone who works remotely. However, it doesn’t mean you won’t give feedback anymore. You can still offer constructive criticisms. Make sure your message comes across clearly. It’s easier to miscommunicate with someone when you only talk via online platforms. Giving feedback shows that you care about the company. You also want your employees to succeed.
Provide the best tools
There are apps and software that can simplify certain tasks. If your employees request the use of new software, consider it. You might not be familiar of it, but its use will make the job easier. Trust the employee who will use it constantly. Don’t force the use of tools that these employees find hard to deal with. It will only slow them down and reduce overall productivity.
Try something new
There are no specific rules on how to manage remote workers. Try something new and see where it goes. Perhaps, you will eventually have a setup where no physical office is needed for the employees to get the job done. If you can try different strategies, something will work favorably.
With these tips, you will motivate these remote workers to do their best. They will feel like they’re still part of the family even if they’re physically away from everyone else.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://www.brymark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/woman-working-from-home-reward-remote-staff.jpg
2nd image from https://ichoose.ph/blogs/work-home-employees-need-health-insurance/
