5 Tips to Effectively Manage Remote Employees

During a nationwide lockdown, working from home has become a new reality for many.

Along with remote working comes a plethora of challenges that cannot always be resolved with a quick Zoom call. To facilitate a smooth process, remote management has to be at its best for both the business and its employees. Below are five tips to ensuring the most effective remote management of employees working from home.

1. Use effective communication tools

Effective communication is a vital element in any business. Add remote working and effective communication becomes even more important. Staying in touch with employees can be achieved through chats, productivity tracking, and video or voice conferencing, to ensure there is no miscommunication.

2. Be on the lookout for signs of distress in your employees

Staying in tune with your employees, both directly and indirectly, will go a long way with addressing issues in the business. Take the time to express that you support your employees and maintain regular conversations, especially conversations that arise specifically from the current pandemic.

3. Do not time track

Micromanaging employees does not work within the workplace, and it has even less of a place in a remote working scenario. Productivity tracking is a more effective way to measure employees’ performance as well as scheduling regular meetings, to discuss what is expected of them.

4. Offer professional development

Growing employees’ abilities grow their confidence in their role. Offer employees opportunities to do online courses or to attend online workshops. The benefits include upskilled employees, motivated employees, and a greater impact on the business.

5. Increase recognition

“During periods of disruption, employees’ desire for being recognized for their contribution increases by about 30%,” says Brian Kropp, Distinguished Vice President, Research, Gartner. Recognition is one of the tools in the workplace where a little goes a long way. Recognition takes place in many forms, whether it is public acknowledgment, perks, or opportunities for development.

Management should pay specific attention to the various situations that arise from the current pandemic and apply emotional intelligence when addressing them. The above points apply to all cases of remote management, although additional sensitivity should be applied considering the abrupt changes that took place over the last few weeks.

Contact Afri Training Institute on 021 202 3341 for more information on our Skills Development Course, and grow your management and employees’ skills.