Working with a team scattered across the country or the world is very common these days. Finding remote employees and getting them on board is one part of the equation; after which comes the time to start managing.

How do we manage remote employees effectively? What steps should you take to build trust and open lines of communication when not everyone is on-site every day? How do you help remote workers feel part of a team?

There are many questions to be asked. But In this article, we shall discuss tips on managing remote workers and increasing remote worker’s retention.

Tips to Ensure Employee Retention of Remote Workers

A happy and committed set of remote workers are like precious metals to your company, and it’s only sensible to keep them motivated to increase productivity.

Here are a few tips on how to build a strong working connection or relationship with your remote workers to secure employee retention.

#1. Create Ease and Friendliness in Communication

One of the key tips in managing team members remotely is creating easy communication among team members. Team members are always comfortable with one another in a work setting where friendliness and easy communication exists.

One of the ways through which you can implement easy communication among your remote workers is to start your meetings within a few minutes. You can take turns in sharing things going on in your lives (professionally and personally). It doesn’t have to be every meeting but a few meetings.

This is important because personal sharing stories helps build empathy which opens the way for trust. You could even host a meeting and call tag them virtual hang out and make it very informal. Thus, creating a friendly atmosphere with your remote workers.

#2. Allow Increased Flexibility

In this increasing time of remote working, employees are already getting used to not having to deal with a long daily commute before work.

Regardless, it’s still important to strike a good balance between personal time and professional responsibilities. This is why flexible working hours are of great essence.

For remote workers with busy domestic responsibilities, or those who would prefer to work at different hours, you can give them the flexibility to set their own schedule as long as it wouldn’t be at the detriment of your business.

#3. Don’t Micromanage Your Employees

Remote workers would love to have the independence to schedule and manage how to approach their duties. Since you can’t be physically present to manage this, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give members of your remote team the autonomy to make their own decisions and work in their own style.

Giving your team autonomy or freedom means that you can worry less about the processes taken to get jobs done but rather focus on the results.

#4. Cover Their Remote Working Costs

When employees are operating in the confines of a physical office, it will only make sense that the business bears the costs for all and sundry, from the cost of equipment, internet, power, etc.

The shift to working remotely means that workers may have to bear the brunt of these expenses themselves. This may cause rising utility costs as well as the odds of having to pay for their own working equipment.

Team members will be more committed to an organisation that provides additional support and erases the cost of the home working setup. This will enhance happiness across the board.

Conclusion

As an employee, you and your remote team can experience a good remote working relationship when these steps are taken. But, more importantly, this will boost employee retention within your organisation.