In the absence of face-to-face communication in the past months, it is now harder to see the grind remote employees do which leaves them feeling undervalued and unappreciated. In addition to that, first-time remote workers may also experience confusion on the boundaries between their working and personal lives which can cause distress, hence, the management should focus on the employees’ well-being. Regardless of being remote or in an office set up, employees’ appreciation should not be overlooked.
Work at home employees needs recognition as much as office employees, if not even more. Studies show that remote employees work 1.4 days longer per month than employees working in an office setup, thus, resulting in a higher burnout rate. Companies that do not reinforce their employees’ wellbeing can cause a productivity fiasco, losing not only finances but also the trust and loyalty of the employees.
Employee rewards and recognition culture is important for increasing employee morale. Even small gestures can go a long way in boosting employee’s overall productivity, and the best part of it, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Below are some budget-friendly and thoughtful ways to show appreciation to your remote employees.
Drop a “Thank You” Email
According to a study conducted by Glassdoor, 81% of workers are motivated to work harder when their manager expresses gratitude for their work. A simple “Thank you” or shout out in your team chatbox would show that their work hasn’t gone unnoticed, showing their value to the team.
Happy Hour
In a world full of virtual meetings, it would not cause any harm to have a balance between work and play. Having time to talk about non-work related topics while sipping their favorite coffee or playing virtual team building games would not only help in team engagement but will also reduce burnout among employees.
Send a Gift (card)
Gifts are instant day-maker. Everyone enjoys free stuff. For a more personalized touch, surprise your employees with a gift card that is in line with their interests like a free coffee voucher, gym membership, discount coupons to an online shopping store, and the list goes on. They would definitely enjoy the gift and feel valued for the work they’ve done.
Flexible Working Time
One of the most anticipated rewards that you could give is letting your employees leave work an hour or two earlier than usual. This is very much appreciated especially after a long working week where they have a head to head fight with deadlines and reports. This will definitely make your remote team energized for next week’s workload.
Recognition may come in different forms. As common as it may get, monetary rewards aren’t everything, most employees feel valued when they have a good and healthy relationship with their co-workers and managers. Without consistent acknowledgment and encouragement for the work they do, remote workers are more at risk of being stressed, not performing well, and ultimately leaving.
As the set up of work continues to change, the need for employee recognition remains constant. Appreciation for hard-working employees can help improve team culture, longer employee retention, and boost overall morale. Working in an office or at home, the management should still focus on the most vital part of the organization, its people.
