{"id":880,"date":"2020-05-13T11:37:18","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T01:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sage-people-scraping-ca.local\/?p=880"},"modified":"2023-12-15T02:35:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T15:35:13","slug":"covid-19-5-ways-engage-remote-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/covid-19-5-ways-engage-remote-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"Communicating with remote employees: 5 tactics to keep them engaged"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPeople & Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCommunicating with remote employees: 5 tactics to keep them engaged\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Headshot\t\t\t\tCharlotte Penny<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Communicating with employees at your company\u2019s office is simple. You can simply walk over to a team, or host a face-to-face meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, in these unprecedented times of Covid-19 and the introduction of social distancing as a result, we find ourselves without these options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While remote working is only possible with the help from technology, it can also sometimes become a hindrance when it comes to communicating effectively.  Employees may feel that they\u2019re swamped in emails, calls and live chats, posing the risk that important messages can be easily missed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how can HR and People teams effectively communicate, motivate and engage our colleagues when we can\u2019t speak to them in person?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of good internal communications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Internal communications are the best tool you have for keeping employees aligned to your company strategy \u2013 they just need to be engaging enough to cut through the noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When employees work remotely, they still want to feel part of the work community, arguably more so than in the office and creating stand-out internal communications is one of the best ways to reflect your company\u2019s ethos. That, in turn, helps employees to feel part of the business\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the benefits aren\u2019t just found in culture. Driving great internal communication strategies is also vital to ensuring employees feel valued and therefore remain motivated while working. In fact, 85% of employees feel more motivated<\/a> when management provides regular updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strong communications can lead to a host of other benefits, including helping your organisation to build trust, creating a sense of community and improving employee retention. Despite all of this, 60%<\/a> of organisations don\u2019t have an internal communications strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are our five top tips to use great internal comms to help drive engagement remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Free research report: The changing face of HR <\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Seismic shifts in the way organisations operate, work, and manage their people are occurring. We surveyed 500+ HR leaders to discover how they are responding.<\/p>\n

Uncover insights on how to stay ahead and transform HR from a process focused function to a people driven business.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload Report<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

1. Create online groups and make communication two-way <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How do you make communication more two-way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use an online platform to post informal news from the company, so as not to clog up employees\u2019 inboxes. There are many ways you can do this, but arguably the best way is through an online collaboration forum such as Slack or Microsoft Teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving your staff a place to discuss both work and non-work matters can help them to feel engaged and part of a community, even when they are away from the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Set up an online recognition board<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How often does your organisation say thank you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great way to make employees feel engaged even while working remotely is to recognise their achievements. In fact, 69%<\/a> of employees said they\u2019d work harder if they were better appreciated and recognised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting up an online recognition board \u2013 perhaps with rewards for employee of the week\/month \u2013 can offer employees a new incentive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, your organisation doesn\u2019t have to recognise them with a reward. A simple thank you goes much further than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Encourage teams to use video in calls where appropriate  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do your employees regularly use video on calls?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By seeing colleagues on video, it\u2019s easier to pick up on secondary forms of communication such as facial expressions, body language and tone of voice \u2013 things which may be missed on other forms of communication, like email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no wonder a survey <\/a>revealed 98% of employees believe video-conferencing improves relationship building within their companies. Also, 87% agreed it\u2019s the best alternative to meeting face-to-face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the best internal communications are two-way, so video is a great way to facilitate that. However, be mindful of video fatigue. According to the BBC<\/a>, it takes more of our concentration to sit on a video call than to speak face-to-face, not to mention the added concentration needed when there are delays and connectivity issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, employees may not want to switch on their video, whether that\u2019s because of parenting or caring responsibilities, or living in a shared house. Ultimately, switching on video should be the employee\u2019s choice, even if it is encouraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Create or maintain a regular internal newsletter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A weekly internal newsletter is a great resource for employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only can it help to remind people of what\u2019s going on around the organisation, it provides a platform for leaders to remind them of the company mission and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t already have a newsletter, start today and start small. Include sections for key events such as important meetings, top tips about how to remote work effectively and give shout-outs to employees who have recently gone the extra mile for their colleagues and the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re struggling to find the time to write your thoughts down, why not do an internal update via video? It could add a more personal approach, while still containing all the details you\u2019d have in a newsletter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Keep your intranet refreshed more than ever<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s on your intranet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From top tips on home working, to easy links to paychecks, policies or the last all-hands meeting, there\u2019s so many ways you can use your intranet to make it the central hub for all your communications \u2013 but it needs to be regularly updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using cloud technology, whether it\u2019s through an intranet or using an HR and People system means that the information will be accessible on any device, no matter where they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employees will want to see fresh, easy to read, well organised content, otherwise it could just as easily be ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication is valuable \u2013 so is feedback<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No matter how you choose to communicate, regular and empathetic connection with your workforce is one of the most crucial assets you have \u2013 especially at a time like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not about simply delivering a message, though. Make sure the message resonates, it\u2019s two-way and that it helps them to feel part of the organisation. Be clear about your organisation\u2019s mission, goals, and strategy \u2013 and how employees contribute to that. Being honest about what the organisation and its leader know, and don\u2019t know, is also vital in times of difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask your people on a regular basis what they think and follow through with the feedback so they feel listened to and truly engaged.  Ultimately, the subject of what you communicate should come from their needs; the rest is up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Free research report: The changing face of HR <\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Seismic shifts in the way organisations operate, work, and manage their people are occurring. We surveyed 500+ HR leaders to discover how they are responding.<\/p>\n

Uncover insights on how to stay ahead and transform HR from a process focused function to a people driven business.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload Report<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Subscribe to the Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Get a roundup of our best business advice in your inbox every month<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the world adapts to a new way of working, communication with your employees is going to become more important than ever. Here are 5 of our top tips\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1660,"featured_media":3333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[74],"tags":[222],"business_type":[9],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[107],"imagine_tag":[261,65,263,25,40],"coauthors":[284],"class_list":["post-880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-leadership","tag-hr","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-au","author_name":"Charlotte Penny","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/10\/GettyImages-1459190037.jpg","imagine_tags":{"261":"Employee engagement","65":"HR and Payroll","263":"HR processes","25":"HR software","40":"Mid-sized business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice Australia","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1660"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=880"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/880\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/3333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=880"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}