Are You Keeping Remote Employees Connected and Engaged?

Since last March we have had hundreds of conversations with our nearly 500 members about adjusting to remote work and all the disruption we have experienced in 2020.

While we look to build skills around compliance, leadership and resiliency, the conversation has consistently shifted to what employers are doing to keep employees engaged, linked-in and connected.

Since it is the season for giving and sharing, we thought it worthwhile to share a few with you. Here are some of the things we have been hearing about. Please send us your favorites:

Coffee Chats (one rule: no work talk)

Just because there’s no break room to hang out in doesn’t mean employees aren’t taking breaks. In fact, as an employer, you should encourage your employees to take regular breaks to help improve their productivity.  And remember, in Oregon breaks are required for your non-exempt employees, even while working remote. While you can’t encourage employees to meet up at a coffee shop right now, you can schedule virtual coffee breaks with your team to stay connected while working remotely.

Let everyone know you’ll be online at a certain time, taking your coffee break, and invite the team to join you through whatever virtual platform you use. Encourage others to set up their own virtual coffee breaks. Stay online, forget about work, and chat for a few minutes.

If you’re looking for a conversation starter that doesn’t involve, “How are you holding up,” try asking, “Which coffee is better: the one at home or the one in the break room?”

Ask a Question of the Week

Since there’s a good chance working from home will last for a while, post a random question in whatever chat application you use once a week. The questions can be short and sweet (What’s your favorite season?); encourage longer answers (What’s your favorite season and why?); be silly (Would you rather have a unicorn or a dinosaur as a pet?); or be somewhat serious (Which officemate would you prefer: dog or cat?). In October, we shared the worst Halloween costume we had worn.

You’ll probably get some interesting answers and learn a lot about your team in the process. The benefit here is that everybody doesn’t have to be online at the same time for this to work. People can pop in and answer whenever it’s convenient, and read through the responses when they need a quick and uplifting break.

Encourage Group Chats (SLACK time)

Your employees don’t think about work all day every day. Many of them have outside interests and hobbies they like to participate in. In fact, some of your staff may get together and engage in these outside interests together!

Even though everyone is working at home, that doesn’t mean your staff wouldn’t appreciate the chance to connect with coworkers with similar interests. So, set up some virtual groups to facilitate conversation.

Create a group for people who like crafts or are into cooking so they can share recipes and projects. You can also create a parent group or even sub-groups (single parents, parents of multiples) to share tips and advice. Or host virtual book clubs for the bookworms.

These social groups let your remote staff bond and connect with people who have similar interests, but maybe don’t work in the same department as they do, allowing them to learn more about each other and the company.

Virtual Lunches (we also tried a distanced picnic before the Freeze)

Like coffee breaks, lunch is another time when employees bond. Under normal circumstances, remote employees can meet coworkers for lunch in person (when they live or work nearby). Or they can head out for lunch with family and friends.

Of course, we are not currently under normal circumstances. So, encourage staff to have a virtual lunch together. It’s not quite like lunching with colleagues at a restaurant, but, for some, it’s better than eating alone!

You can also have a virtual office lunch. Set up a group conference and have the whole company get together and see what happens!

For the truly adventurous, set up a “lunch roulette” once a week. Have people enter their name in a virtual “hat,” and let the organizer randomly select who will meet up for a virtual lunch. It’s a great way for coworkers on different teams to meet up and learn more about each other and their respective jobs.

Our socially-distanced picnic, by the way, was a success at least in getting us out of the house.

Apparently, there are also local wineries that are willing to host a virtual happy hour, send you wine and other swag.

Exchanges

Meeting online is a great way to stay connected while working from home. However, sometimes there’s nothing like getting a package or letter in the mail.

Set up a cookie exchange so those that love to bake can send cookies to each other. For those that don’t like to (or can’t) cook, set up a pen pal system so people can send cards and letters to each other. Perhaps encourage your managers to send notes of appreciation to the people they supervise; something work-related that particularly stands out.

No-Screen Fridays (some have called it a pajama day)

Minimize work meetings and allow for a task-oriented day free from the demands of email, Zoom, Go-To, Google or any other platform you are using.

Company Contests

Just because you’re not in an office doesn’t mean you have to skip out on some “well-loved” traditions. Have the annual Ugly Sweater Contest or Halloween Costume Contest. For something a little less holiday-related, try a “craziest coffee mug” or “funniest pet moment” contest. In fact, occasionally adding something fun at the end of staff meetings is a good way to help people look forward to the meetings.

We had a naughty and nice quiz with prizes for both at our last staff meeting; it went like this: The group was asked 10 questions around both naughty and nice things they may have done (e.g., “have you ever cheated in a board game?” and “have you ever bought a stranger a cup of coffee?”). The person with the least fingers raised for the naughty questions won a prize; the person with the most fingers raised for the nice questions won a prize. 

During another staff meeting we played Price is Right.  Staff had to guess the price of a number of items. The person guessing the closest total combined price for all items, won.

Company Challenges

Company-wide challenges are a great way to get people together and encourage a little friendly competition. You can try a diet or exercise challenge, a journaling challenge, or even a Lego-building challenge. One member recently held a “Best Gingerbread House” challenge. As long as it’s something that gets people involved, entertained, and engaged in something fun for a few minutes, it’s bound to be a hit.

Virtual Workouts

Just because you can’t get to the gym is no reason not to stay in shape. Consider organizing a group fitness break during the day. You can do yoga, chair stretching, or even a meditation session to keep everyone fit and healthy.

Don’t Be Afraid to Make a Phone Call

We all have our preferred mode of communicating. Old-school phone calls still work.

Avoid Meeting “Stew”

Even though we always encourage communicating and over-communicating direction and strategy, a common complaint we have been hearing is too many meetings (ZOOM fatigue anyone?). Make sure everyone knows why they are meeting and the intended outcome of the meeting. Is this a tactical, check-in, strategic, learning or social “gathering”?

Some of our members swear by shorter “Stand-Up” meetings (10-15 minutes). Keep in mind that teams will “fill” the time allotted for a meeting with stuff that does not necessarily contribute to the team’s success.

Keep Your Volunteer Opportunities Going

For those organizations providing employees VTO (volunteer time off), encourage them to ask their favorite non-profit how they can help out virtually. Many non-profits are struggling to stay afloat and have come up with some creative, beneficial ways their volunteers can help in a distanced way. One of Cascade’s staff members volunteers for SMART Reading.  Typically reading in person to local grade school students for an hour a week, they now record their readings so SMART can distribute them where most needed.

An Important Caveat

For non-business activities, communicate them as optional and honor those who prefer to not participate. There are a few of us who may just prefer to walk the dog.

We would love to hear your suggestions. Tell us what is working to keep your teams connected.