How to Manage a Remote Workforce

How to Manage a Remote Workforce

With offices forced to close as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have now turned to manage employees remotely. While a large number of businesses have already begun the transition of hiring a remote workforce some years ago due to the benefits it can provide, this sudden movement may have come as a surprise to you, and you are in need of some assistance on how to effectively manage a remote workforce. With the developments in technology, it is becoming a much more common working style across the world, so it is well worth getting to grips with. In this guide, we’re going to offer some helpful tips to take on board:

Set Expectations Early

As employees are unable to ask for help and advice immediately as they would in the office when working remotely, it’s important to point them in the right direction by establishing clear expectations and a guideline to follow. Remote working can be an extremely different approach that the employee may not be used to, so they may need buffer time to adapt to new briefs and software before starting.

Establish structured daily check-ins

Managers should be keeping a check on remote workers throughout the day to ensure that they are on task and any queries are answered with immediate effect. This could be as simple as sending a quick email, holding one-on-one calls, or even holding group meetings so that employees can raise issues for others to contribute to or even find solutions for. The important aspect is that employees are aware that they can get in touch as and when they need it if any problems should occur.

All employees can connect with each other

Working remotely can be beneficial for some, but it can present itself as a challenge for others. Many people enjoy going to work for the social aspect but may now be suffering from anxiety, loneliness and depression after months of independent working. It’s important to ensure your employees still feel part of a corporation and can chat freely with their colleagues throughout the working day as normal. One way to achieve this would be through a ‘virtual water cooler’. Discover more here from Simpplr.

Trust in your employees

One of the best things you can do as a manager is to have faith in your employees in regard to the completion of tasks and the choices they make. Transitioning to working on a remote basis is a large enough shift to deal with. Therefore, the support of the manager is crucial in building confidence rather than knocking it down.

Micromanagement is a common tactic used by a large number of employers but is detrimental to the growth and development of the workforce. Research has shown that this management method will only discourage and put further pressure on already nervous employees. Understand that there may be teething issues along the way, but this is part and parcel of the natural move from office to home.