The number of remote workers has steadily increased over the last decade, but the recent pandemic has put the growth of the remote workforce into overdrive. While this transformation to virtual working has enabled many businesses to remain productive during very difficult times, it has also put a strain on virtual workers. To help combat this stress, many employers want to know how to manage and motivate a remote workforce. One of the first things employers can do is to revamp their employee benefits offerings to better serve their remote workers. Especially if your company plans to continue working remotely permanently, you’ll have to adapt to your workers. Keeping remote workers happy and engaged is easier than you’d think, as long as you are supporting them in the proper ways.
Here are four easy ways to enact ideal perks you can offer your remote team today.
1. Workspace Stipend for Remote Workers
The pandemic forced many employees to set up an office at home with little to no notice. For some, their dining room table now doubles as an office desk. But, is this the most effective way for your employees to work? Consider offering your employees a workplace stipend that gives them a budget to purchase the tools and equipment necessary to set up an at-home office. This one perk alone can help to alleviate stress on your employees, increase motivation, and boost productivity.
Instead of giving a stipend, you can always offer to buy specific things for employee. For example, you could offer employees a comfortable chair, a good mouse, and quality headset or pair of headphones. This shows that you care about your employee’s comfort and productivity, and want them to excel as much as possible.
2. Voluntary Virtual Lunch/Coffee Breaks
A recent Gallup poll revealed that 21% of remote workers listed loneliness as their number one struggle of working at home. This sense of loneliness affects more than just an employee’s personal life. It can affect everything from their productivity to their customer service. It’s important to learn how to engage a remote workforce and keep them mentally healthy.
You can facilitate a better social environment by setting up virtual lunch or coffee breaks. Offer an option for employees to “hang out” and talk about topics other than work. Giving your employees a platform that enables them to communicate with each other can help them feel more engaged and connected. They will also notice that you recognize their struggles and want to host a platform to ease them. Of course, the voluntary part makes it so they don’t become overwhelmed or stressed with scheduling.
3. Flexible Scheduling
One of the best company benefits for remote employees is flexible scheduling. This perk is especially helpful for workers dealing with additional home-life responsibilities. If possible, allow employees to tweak their regular work hours to accommodate these added responsibilities. Some workers may need to start work later to take their kids to school or homeschool their children. Some may need to take an extra long lunch break to walk their dog or go to an appointment. If your industry allows flexible hours, it’s a great way to keep employees engaged and encouraged. It gives them time to get other things done during the day without feeling stressed and overwhelmed. This is a big example of how remote working/flexible working can give employees a better work/life balance.
4. Remote Workforce Wellness Perks
According to a recent study, up to 74% of employers plan to offer wellness programs to their employees. If your company is creating a wellness program, be sure to include your remote workers. Hosting virtual workshops, speakers, fitness plans, and meditation programs is a great way to include employees who are working from home.
In addition, if you offer discounted memberships to gyms and wellness facilities, consider partnering with a national brand. This way, your employees can reap these rewards no matter where they live.
With remote working at an all-time high, now is the perfect time to reevaluate your company’s employee perks. To learn more about creating a flexible work environment, check out our blog post, along with an article by Dish on How To Set Up A Home Office.