Remote work is becoming increasingly popular due to the fantastic benefits of this technique. From greater flexibility to cost savings, employees and employers tend to like this model. However, there are a few challenges and issues that managers have to deal with. One of them is ensuring the remote workforce stays focused and motivated. It is easy to assume that remote employees are motivated because of the perks they get. However, a survey from 2022 shows that only 32% of remote employees are actually engaged with their work.

This percentage dropped from 36% in 2020. So, how can employers motivate their employees to work in a remote setting? This article will mention five ways. Determining whether remote employees are engaged and motivated can take time and effort. Nevertheless, employers can conduct a survey to assess their people’s motivation levels.

If your employees are demotivated for any reason, here are a few tips to motivate them again:

1.    Help Them Set up a Dedicated Workspace

Many remote employees worry their employers might ask them to return to the office. This is one of the main reasons they are continuously under stress and won’t work with complete focus and dedication. Therefore, it is imperative to show them that employers won’t unnecessarily require them to join the office again.

Apart from reassurance, the best way to do this is by helping them set up a dedicated workspace. Employers can give a specific budget to each team member so they can set up a private workspace at home. With the funds, they can buy the relevant tools and equipment to help them carry out their work activities without any trouble.

2.    Set Clear Expectations

Another important point is that the employees should have a clear set of instructions in front of them. They need to have an idea of what goals they need to achieve. It can be challenging to stay motivated if remote workers don’t know what the company expects.

Therefore, employers need to set clear performance goals. For instance, set a target for the sales and marketing department to achieve. Also, ensure you set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).

3.    Empower Rather Than Micromanage

Trust is the most important factor in motivating remote workers. Constant micromanagement can damage morale and stifle the productivity of your remote employees. Once you’ve assigned a task, let your team own it. However, trusting your team doesn’t entail staying in the dark. 

As mentioned, you must set clear expectations for the desired outcome. Additionally, you can use different tools to provide visibility into project progress without interrupting workflow. Keep in mind that there are often different ways to accomplish a goal.

Accept that your team members might approach tasks differently. This diversity can lead to creative solutions. Giving them the freedom to be creative will allow them to focus on their work much better. It will also increase their motivation and ensure they remain engaged at work.

4.    Recognize and Celebrate Achievements

Employees are more likely to engage in work and put in greater effort if they receive recognition from the management. Therefore, it is important to recognize contributions and celebrate employees’ achievements, even if they are working remotely. It will boost their motivation and overall morale.

Managers can go to a trophy store and get different trophies for best performers, punctual workers, etc. This can play an immense role in motivating remote employees to provide better services. Additionally, there can also be a monetary incentive for employees who perform the best. These trophies can then be couriered to team members’ home addresses.

5.    Prioritize Well-Being for a Motivated Team

Last but not least, it’s important to note that a healthy team is a motivated team. Employers should prioritize strategies that address the remote workforce’s well-being to prevent burnout and keep morale high. One such strategy is scheduling regular video calls to check in on how your team members are doing.

Ask open-ended questions about their workload, stress levels, and any challenges they might be facing. Employers can also conduct anonymous surveys to gather broader insights into their team’s well-being. These surveys can provide valuable data on common stressors and areas where support is needed.

As a result, employees can work with their managers to resolve issues in these areas. Lastly, employers can also consider offering online wellness programs that align with a team’s interests, such as:

  • Online yoga classes
  • Subscriptions to meditation apps
  • Remote ergonomic consultations

Keeping remote employees motivated can help businesses yield various benefits. It can lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and many more. Therefore, employers should check in with their remote employees from time to time so they can know if they are motivated.