With the pandemic resulting in a widespread move to remote and hybrid work, employee engagement expert Weekly10 lists its top five ways to motivate remote workers.
As a first step, employers should set professional goals for their employees, with managers and team leaders able to help their teams achieve their goals. However, goals must be realistic or they risk resulting in employee demotivation and burn out.
Once employers have set goals, they can create incentive programmes for the workplace, including financial and social rewards such as commission, wage increases and profit sharing.
Weekly10 says employers should not overlook the importance of recognising and celebrating their employees’ success. From passing probation to reaching monthly targets, employers have many opportunities to highlight their employees’ achievements.
According to the group: “By creating incentive programmes and remembering to celebrate success, employers are supporting intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors. This is motivation that either comes from within an employee, such as happiness and fulfilment in their role, or beyond, including incentives and rewards. These keep the team driving forward while catering to every employee’s needs.”
As a next step, employers should offer their workers transparent feedback and create an environment in which employees feel comfortable voicing any praise or concerns of their own. This can include regular one-to-ones.
Importantly, employers should prioritise the health and wellbeing of their people, with physical and mental ailments inevitably affecting their performance at work. Online mental health catch-ups and virtual guided meditation classes are a couple of options that can help to boost employee wellbeing.
However, the firm said employers should not use time tracking software because despite the visibility it offers employers, it can place employees under unnecessary pressure and risks creating a culture of mistrust and demotivation.
A spokesperson for Weekly10 said: “Employee engagement is the driving force of success. There are multiple ways to encourage this, such as harnessing positive attitudes and encouraging personal development. However, time tracking software is not the answer to improve business operations. While it tracks multiple factors – including the amount of time between actions – it is harmful to workplace productivity.
“It’s also unrealistic to expect employees to stay at their desks all day. Employees cannot work at full speed all day, every day without experiencing burn out. Plus, regular computer breaks can prevent eyestrain, musculoskeletal disorders and circulation problems.
“Alternatively, employees can measure outputs and inputs with regular meetings, use goal setting to establish clear expectations and build a culture based on trust.”
