Retaining Remote Employees: Best Practices and Challenges

From clear communication and setting expectations to offering support and recognition, learn how to build a positive workplace culture and address common issues like isolation, work-life balance, and trust. Discover practical tips to improve employee retention rates and create a cohesive remote team.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to adopt remote work arrangements, which have presented new challenges in managing employees. Even post the pandemic, remote work is becoming the new norm, and companies will have to learn how to retain their remote employees. In this blog, we will discuss the challenges and best practices to retaining remote employees.

Challenges and Best Practices of Retaining Remote Employees

Challenge: Feelings of isolation and loneliness

Remote employees often feel isolated and lonely. They miss out on the social interactions that occur in a physical workplace. Managers need to find ways to create a sense of community among remote employees. Some ways they can do so is by fostering communication, encouraging virtual team-building activities, setting clear expectations, providing professional development opportunities, and appreciating achievements. 

Best Practice: Foster communication and build team morale 

Encourage regular and open communication channels, such as team meetings, video conferences, and one-on-one check-ins. Create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and successes.

Organise virtual team-building activities to promote social interaction and strengthen relationships. This can include virtual coffee breaks, team challenges, online games, or virtual happy hours, allowing remote employees to connect on a personal level.

Challenge: Difficulty managing work-life balance

Remote employees often struggle with managing work-life balance. The lack of separation between work and home life can cause remote employees to feel overwhelmed and stressed.

Best practice: Set clear expectations

Remote employees need to know what is expected from them. Managers should set clear expectations regarding work hours, deadlines, and goals. Clear expectations help employees stay focused and productive.

Managers play a vital role in fostering a supportive environment for remote employees by being readily available to address queries, offer feedback, and provide guidance. This proactive approach ensures that remote employees feel supported, informed about their progress, and encouraged to stay motivated throughout their work journey.

To learn more about striking the balance between work and personal life, read How Work and Life Can Coexist. 

Lack of Access to Resources

Remote employees often have limited access to company resources. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks and feel connected to the company. Managers need to ensure that remote employees have the resources they need to do their jobs. This can include access to software, equipment, and training.

Moreover, all employees must have equal access to resources that provide them with professional care for their physical and mental health needs. 

Explore Amaha’s comprehensive mental healthcare programme for your workplace, with both in-person and online services. Click here to learn more. 

Difficulty Building Trust

Building trust can be challenging when managing remote employees. Managers need to communicate regularly and be transparent about company decisions and changes.

Providing opportunities for feedback and ensuring that remote employees feel heard can also help build trust. Trust is essential for creating a positive workplace culture and improving employee retention rates.

Best Practices for Retaining Remote Employees

Offer Support and Development Opportunities

Remote employees need support and development opportunities to grow professionally. Managers should offer opportunities for training and development, such as online courses and workshops.

Providing support and development opportunities shows that the company values remote employees and their contributions. This can help improve employee satisfaction and retention.

Recognise and Reward Achievements

Remote employees need to be recognised for their achievements. Managers should acknowledge their contributions and reward them for their hard work. Recognition can be in the form of a simple thank you message, public praise, or monetary rewards.

Recognising and rewarding achievements helps build a sense of community and fosters a positive workplace culture.

Retaining remote employees is essential for the success of any company. Managers need to communicate regularly, set clear expectations, offer support and development opportunities, and recognise and reward achievements. They also need to address the challenges of remote work, including isolation, work-life balance, lack of access to resources, and difficulty building trust.

By implementing best practices and addressing the challenges of remote work, companies can create a positive workplace culture and improve employee retention rates. Remote work is here to stay, and it is essential for companies to learn how to retain their remote employees.

For comprehensive mental health support for your workforce, explore our services in our Employee Well-being Programme.