The shift to hybrid and remote work has changed the way we think about employee engagement. In the old days, it was all about office snacks and ping-pong tables. Now, it’s about fostering a work environment where employees feel connected, appreciated, and motivated, without always seeing each other in person. But how can companies make this happen?

Let’s break down a few strategies and tactics that are proven to drive engagement in our new world of work and save you the effort of endlessly searching the web for these tried and tested methods.

Build a Strong Company Culture (Even When You’re Miles Apart)

Define and Share Core Values

Your company’s values are like a compass. They should guide decisions, define behaviour, and ultimately bring your team together. According to Gallup, employees who feel connected to their company’s values are 3.7 times more likely to be engaged.  Start by clearly defining your values and ensure everyone knows them.

Celebrate Wins, Big and Small

You don’t need a confetti cannon in the break room to celebrate achievements. Host virtual shout-outs, add an achievements section in your monthly newsletter, or set aside time in team meetings to acknowledge accomplishments. Recognising wins, no matter how small, can boost morale and remind employees they’re part of something bigger.

Keep Things Social (and Fun!)

Remote work can be isolating, so creating virtual spaces for social interaction is essential. Think virtual coffee breaks, team lunches, or even online games. LinkedIn’s Workplace Culture report found that 46% of employees consider a strong workplace culture as essential to their happiness at work.  Social spaces, even digital ones, help foster that culture.

Invest in Tech that Connects People

Reliable Communication Tools

It’s 2024, no one should be struggling to get messages across the team. Equip your employees with solid communication tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom to bridge the gap between remote and in-office employees. Research from Buffer shows that 20% of remote workers struggle most with collaboration and communication, so make it easy for them.

Project Management Platforms

To keep everyone on the same page, consider tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com. These platforms make it easy to track projects and ensure everyone knows their tasks, which can be especially helpful in hybrid settings where people are working in different places at different times.

Continuous Feedback Systems

Regular feedback helps employees feel supported and allows managers to spot potential issues early. Tools like 15Five or Culture Amp make it simple to provide and receive feedback, so no one has to wonder, How am I doing?

Support Work-Life Balance (Because Burnout Simply Sucks)

Flexible Schedules

Giving employees the freedom to set their own hours within reasonable boundaries can be a game-changer. The International Labour Organization found that flexible work arrangements significantly reduce stress and increase productivity. Cloudbooking uses this tactic itself, giving our employees the flexibility they need whether that’s to race around for school pick-ups or to simply ensure the dog doesn’t scream out for a walk. Providing flexible hours, partnered with defined core hours, ensures that everyone’s available for collaboration at an agreed time. So let your employees skip the 9-to-5 grind if that helps them work better.

Mental Health Resources

Mental health is no longer a “nice-to-have” benefit. Provide access to mental health resources like counselling services or mental health days. According to Mind Share Partners, 76% of U.S. workers have experienced mental health challenges at some point, making support a priority for engagement.

Encourage Breaks

Remind your team to take breaks! Simple as it sounds, taking regular breaks improves focus and reduces burnout. Encourage employees to step away from their screens for a few minutes, you’ll be surprised how glued to the monitor people can get when work and personal life get mixed up, it’ll pay off in the long run.

Provide Growth Opportunities

Professional Development Resources

Employees who can grow within their roles are more likely to stick around. Offering online courses, webinars, or workshops through platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Coursera can help employees keep their skills sharp. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that career development is a key driver for employment retainment, with 86% HR managers stating it’s a requirement more talent retention.

Clear Career Paths

It’s one thing to offer training, but employees also need to see a future with your company. Define career progression paths and offer mentorship opportunities. Clear advancement opportunities help employees feel invested in your organisation and less likely to jump ship.

Mentorship Programs

Mentorship doesn’t just benefit new hires; it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Pairing employees with experienced mentors helps foster learning and keeps your company’s knowledge flowing. Plus, employees feel more supported and connected to the organisation’s goals.

 

Related Reading: How to Optimise Your Workspace with These 8 Occupancy Metrics

Enhance Communication and Transparency

Regular Check-ins

Make time for regular one-on-ones and team check-ins. These meetings are an opportunity to catch up on progress, address any concerns, and ensure no one feels out of the loop. The Harvard Business Review found that employees who have regular check-ins with their managers are three times more likely to be engaged at work.

Host Open Forums

Host monthly or quarterly forum meetings where employees can ask questions and leadership can share updates. Transparency builds trust, and trust is essential for engagement. Make it a two-way street by allowing open discussions that bring everyone’s voices to the table.

Transparency in Decision-Making

Employees appreciate knowing what’s going on in the company, especially when it impacts them. When leadership shares decision-making processes and reasoning, employees feel more connected and engaged, knowing they’re in the loop on the big picture.

Encourage Autonomy and Trust

Set Clear Expectations

Let’s be honest, we’ve all had “that job” where our role wasn’t that clear and we ended up doing multiple different jobs and became a poor-man’s jack of all trades. Clear roles and responsibilities help employees know exactly what’s expected of them, even if they’re working remotely.

Trust Employees to Do Their Jobs

No one enjoys being micromanaged and hybrid workers are no exception. Show employees you trust them to manage their time and tasks effectively. Research from Gallup reveals that employees who feel trusted by their managers are more motivated, perform better and 61% more likely to stay with their company. Take a hint Micro-Managers…

Provide the Right Tools for Success

Make sure employees have everything they need to succeed, from the right software to ergonomic office equipment. A Salesmen without a phone will go as far as a Marketer without Adobe (not very far). When employees feel supported with the necessary resources, they’re more motivated to bring their best to work.

 

Related Reading: Cloudbooking Introduces New Workplace Solution Bundles for Micro and Small-Sized Businesses

Recognise and Reward Contributions

Frequent Recognition

Recognise employees’ hard work regularly, whether through shout-outs in meetings, email acknowledgments, or mentions on company platforms. Gallup’s studies show that employees who do not feel adequately recognised are twice as likely to say they’ll quit in the next year.

Reward Programs

Offering incentives like gift cards, extra time off, or professional development opportunities can be a great way to keep employees motivated. A simple and effective channel to further ensure that you’re always providing recognition.

Encourage Peer Recognition

Create a culture where employees feel comfortable recognising each other’s contributions. Peer recognition fosters a sense of community, strengthens team bonds, and makes everyone feel valued and engaged.

The Bottom Line on Engagement

Boosting employee engagement in a hybrid or remote world doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on communication, culture, and employee well-being, businesses can create a work environment where everyone feels valued and connected, no matter where they’re logging in from.

With the right tools, a few laughs, and a lot of trust, you can turn remote work challenges into engagement wins for the whole team.

For further reading, check out Gallup’s full digest on Employee Engagement here and why not have a chat with the Cloudbooking Team, we’re always happy to help reshape your workplaces.