How to take care of your remote employees in the new normal

Despite the gradual re-opening of Singapore’s economy, many companies are continuing work-from-home arrangements as the Delta variant continues to sweep the nation. This is an arrangement that looks likely to persist in the near future.

According to a survey carried out by market research and consulting firm Ipsos in partnership with the World Economic Forum, many Singaporeans want to continue working from home in some capacity – even after the pandemic and its associated restrictions are over. Most of the employees surveyed (77%) believed that employers should show greater flexibility in terms of requiring workers to be physically present in the office. On average, survey respondents wanted to work from home three out of five days during the working week in the post-pandemic era.

These sentiments were echoed in a study by human resources consulting firm Randstad, with 42% of local respondents desiring a hybrid arrangement after COVID-19 subsides. A poll by research and advisory firm Gartner also showed that 90% of HR leaders would let employees work remotely in some form even after widespread vaccination.

Given the likelihood that a hybrid working structure is here to stay, it’s imperative for SMEs to devise or strengthen their existing policies to promote employee well-being beyond the physical office. Besides showing workers that you prioritise their welfare, the following measures can boost productivity and enhance the prospect of employee retention.

Conduct regular check-ins with team members

While your workforce may be separated, employees shouldn’t feel siloed. According to a Singapore-based study by recruitment specialists Robert Walters, 32% of respondents cited social isolation as a key frustration of working from home, while 53% reported that having fewer in-person meetings and less physical interaction with colleagues were leading contributors to decreased productivity. A lack of regular, individual check-ins between managers and employees can also lead to workers feeling disengaged.                                                                                                            

To keep your workforce connected, managers should schedule frequent virtual one-on-one meetings to discuss current projects, establish development goals, and determine whether your workers need additional support. They can also organise online group activities – such as team-building games or a weekly social hour – to build camaraderie and boost morale.

Maintain flexibility with schedules and working hours

For some employees, remote working offers the ideal, distraction-free, time-saving formula for increased productivity. Besides eliminating their commute, working from home may provide a quieter environment for optimal concentration, while also reducing the chances of being pulled into non-essential meetings.

However, this isn’t true for everyone – especially for those sharing their home space. Some may have to juggle their job with taking care of elderly parents or younger children who live with them. To support these employees while showing understanding and empathy, managers can consider implementing flexible working hours.

Such policies can also benefit your bottom line. In a separate survey by Gartner, 43% of respondents cited flexible working hours as the main reason for greater productivity while working from home, with 64% looking favourably on positions that allowed for such flexibility.

Equip your employees with good technological resources

For workers to carry out their duties at a high level, they’ll need high-quality tools that enable them to do so. Given companies’ increased reliance on digital technology, it’s critical to furnish them with the necessary technological resources.

According to a study by EY, 84% of employees wanted better digital tools. Yet another EY report found that almost half of respondents would like their companies to upgrade their at-home hardware, such as monitors and headsets, and also to be reimbursed for high-speed Internet and phone expenses.

Besides the right hardware, supplying high-quality software, such as video-conferencing and project-management tools, is also important. This can allow for greater organisational efficiency, as well as enhanced productivity and communication between team members.

Promote a healthy work-life balance – and lead by example

In pre-pandemic times, leaving the office allowed employees to draw a clear physical boundary between work and the rest of their lives. But work-from-home arrangements have blurred these lines.

Studies have shown that some employees now face a daily workload of up to two hours more per day than before the pandemic. Based on a survey by software company Limelight Networks, 44% of respondents in Singapore reported clocking longer hours since the pandemic-initiated shift to remote working. Another study by global cloud-computing firm Oracle showed that 68% of the Singaporeans surveyed found 2021 to be the most stressful year at work, with 58% struggling more with mental wellness as compared to 2020. 

Stressful working conditions can take a toll on employees’ physical and mental health, and can lead to stress, anxiety, burn-out, and job dissatisfaction. As a leader, you can encourage your employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance by unplugging at an appropriate time – and walking the talk by doing the same.

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