Ten years ago, the idea of focusing on employee experience for remote teams might not have seemed important. Remote work wasn’t as popular, and most people worked in traditional office settings. However, with the increasing popularity of remote work and the shift to more flexible working arrangements, prioritising the remote employee experience is more important than ever.
Put simply, employee experience refers to the thoughts and opinions employees have about the organisation they work for. This perception is influenced by everything from day-to-day interactions to company culture and the level of support employees receive.
As the adoption of remote work increases, creating a positive experience for employees working from home or other locations is essential. It’s not just about getting the job done—it’s about ensuring remote employees feel connected, supported, and appreciated, even though they aren’t in the office.
When employees have a positive experience at a company, this leads to better productivity, and higher job satisfaction, which is especially significant for businesses looking to retain top talent and reduce employee turnover.
In this article we will discuss effective tips for creating and maintaining a positive employee experience for remote teams.
Offer Work-from-Home Benefits
A common mistake among business owners managing remote teams is not offering perks and benefits to their remote workers, assuming that remote work itself is the ultimate benefit due to the flexibility of location and the elimination of stressful commutes. However, to improve the employee experience, it’s important to ask, “Is flexibility alone a sufficient perk for maximising the employee experience?”
Flexibility is undoubtedly a valuable benefit, but it shouldn’t be the only one. Remote workers, like their in-office counterparts, still deserve certain perks and benefits. Offering perks such as gym memberships, or stipends for home office equipment can make a huge difference.
These benefits not only show a commitment to the team’s overall success but also make employees feel appreciated for their hard work, encouraging productivity and benefiting the business in the long run.
Leave Room for Mental Health Days
Contrary to popular belief, remote employees often work longer hours than their in-office counterparts because the lines between work and personal time tend to blur. Over time, this can lead to burnout, which is further exacerbated by feelings of isolation and loneliness, according to the National Library of Science.
To help address this, or at least minimise its impact, employees should be offered mental health days or encouraged to take their annual leave regularly. Doing this provides a much-needed reset because it allows them to step away from work and recharge.
The result? A healthier, happier, and more productive workforce.
Invest in Learning and Development
According to LinkedIn’s 2023 Workplace Report, 94% of workers surveyed said they would remain in a role if the organisation prioritised their learning and development. This is a testament to the fact that employees care about their growth and development.
With how ubiquitous development initiatives have become because of technology, companies can now easily offer their in-office and remote employees access to learning platforms. Investing in their growth not only shows that the company cares, it has a positive ripple effect on motivation and productivity.
Just as a happy wife leads to a happy marriage, happy employees make an even happier company.
Celebrate Important Milestones
It’s important to celebrate milestones, even if it’s in person or virtually. Employers should remember to acknowledge occasions like birthdays, holidays, or significant work-related achievements.
These moments help employees feel appreciated and connected to the team, even when they’re miles away. Simple virtual celebrations, such as birthday wishes or recognition for reaching a major goal, can make a big difference. They help promote a sense of community and remind employees that their contributions and personal milestones are valued.
Maintain a Positive Work Culture
Maintaining a positive work culture is one of the easiest ways to ensure that remote employees have a positive experience, and achieving a positive work culture is pretty straightforward.
When a company encourages open communication, recognizes and celebrates achievements, supports employees, and rewards them, the foundation for a positive work culture is set.
With a positive company culture, employees feel comfortable, engaged, passionate and ready to drive the company forward.
Listen to Your Employees
No matter the working arrangement, employees need to feel that their contributions are recognized and appreciated because employees who feel ignored are more likely to detach from work.
They stop sharing ideas, don’t see the need to go the extra mile, and in the worst cases, they stop caring about the company’s success. This is especially problematic because every company that ever progressed did so on the shoulders of passionate employees who shared and drove ideas forward.
Listening to employees can take several forms. This can either be done through one-on-one meetings or team discussions. However, how you listen is equally as important as acting on their ideas, opinions and feedback.
In turn, because they’re listened to, they’ll work towards achieving the company’s goals and vision.
Wrapping Up
A common misconception is that remote workers are less concerned about their work experience because they work from home. However, the reality is quite different.
Like employees in traditional office settings, remote workers value their work environment and overall job satisfaction. They also face unique challenges, such as isolation, which can affect their productivity and well-being.
That’s why employers must stay committed to ensuring that the employee experience remains nothing short of outstanding.
