5 Ways HR Can Help Remote Employees Be More Productive

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HR's Role in Supporting Remote Employees

Navigating Remote Work: HR’s Role in Supporting Remote Employees

As the world was forced to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses were suddenly thrust into the realm of remote work. HR departments, tasked with supporting employees who were no longer physically present in the office, had to quickly adapt to this new reality.  

Though remote work offers numerous benefits, including increased flexibility, reduced overhead costs, and the ability to attract talent from a wider geographic area, it also presents unique challenges for HR professionals. Maintaining effective communication and collaboration can be more difficult, and it can be harder to onboard and train new employees. Additionally, remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional life, which can lead to burnout and negatively impact work-life balance.

Here are some of the ways in which the Human Resources Department can support remote employees.  

5 Ways HR Helps Remote Employees
  1. Maintaining Proper Communication 

Effective communication is crucial for any business, but speaking at the image on the screen of your laptop that glitches and freezes every three and a half second isn’t quite the same as talking to someone in person.  

Without the ability to have spontaneous in-person conversations or rely on nonverbal cues, it can be harder to stay informed, collaborate, and stay connected. 

The HR department can be instrumental in facilitating effective communication for remote employees in such a time. One strategy is to set up regular check-ins, either one-on-one or as a team. These check-ins can be used to discuss progress, address any issues, and stay connected. Video conferencing tools can also be useful for holding meetings and facilitating real-time collaboration. 

Promoting open and transparent communication is also essential. Encourage employees to ask questions, share ideas, and speak up if they have any concerns. HR can also establish clear lines of communication and make sure that everyone knows how to stay in touch. 

  • By focusing on communication, HR can help remote employees stay informed, connected, and engaged, even when they are not in the same physical location. 
  1. Onboarding and Training 

Onboarding and training new employees is an important process for any business, but it can be particularly challenging for remote teams. Without the ability to have face-to-face interactions and observe colleagues in action, it can be harder for new hires to fully understand their roles and responsibilities and get up to speed. 

Here are a few methods of how HR can help remote employees during the onboarding and training process.  

  • Firstly, a good place to start would be to provide comprehensive onboarding materials that cover all the essential information that new hires need to know. This could include company policies, procedures, and resources. 
  • Secondly, video conferencing can also be a useful tool for training sessions. HR can use video conferencing to hold live training sessions or provide recordings of training sessions for new hires to watch at their own pace. 
  • Finally, it’s important to make sure that new hires have the resources they need to succeed. This could include providing necessary equipment, setting up a virtual workstation, and ensuring that new hires have access to the tools and resources they need to do their jobs. 
  • By focusing on onboarding and training, HR can help ensure that new hires have the support they need to succeed in their roles, even when working remotely. 
  1. Employee Engagement 

Maintaining employee engagement can be a challenge for any business, but it can be especially difficult for remote teams. Without the ability to interact with colleagues in person, it can be easy for remote employees to feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of the team. 

HR can play a key role in promoting employee engagement for remote teams. Encouraging team-building activities that foster collaboration and connection can be a powerful strategy for promoting engagement among remote employees. This could include virtual social events, online games, or team-building exercises. 

Regular communication is also important for maintaining engagement. HR can encourage employees to stay connected through regular check-ins, team meetings, and one-on-one conversations. These conversations can be used to discuss progress, address any issues, and stay informed about what is happening within the team. 

  • By focusing on employee engagement, HR can help remote employees feel connected and supported, even when they are not physically present in the office. 
  1. Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance 

Remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional life. Without the structure and boundaries of a traditional office setting, it can be easy for work to intrude on personal time and vice versa. This can lead to burnout and negatively impact productivity and well-being. 

HR can be a guiding light for remote employees in finding a healthy work-life balance. By cultivating a culture that values and nurtures this balance, HR can help employees find their footing. This could involve encouraging employees to take time for themselves, setting boundaries around their workday like a protective fence, and providing resources for managing stress and mental health like a soothing oasis. 

Offering resources for managing stress and mental health can also be helpful. This could include access to counselling services, resources for managing stress and anxiety, and support for maintaining healthy habits like exercise and nutrition. 

  • By focusing on work-life balance, HR can help remote employees maintain their well-being and avoid burnout, which can ultimately lead to higher productivity and engagement. 
  1. Providing Appropriate Technology and Resources 

Remote work requires access to reliable technology and resources in order to be successful. Without the right tools and resources, it can be difficult for remote employees to complete their tasks and stay connected to the rest of the team. 

The HR department can be an invaluable ally in helping employees access what they need to do their best work. This could include providing necessary equipment like laptops, monitors, and other hardware, as well as setting up virtual workstations that allow employees to access the tools and resources they need from anywhere. By ensuring that remote employees have the resources and support they need, HR can help them be as productive and effective as possible. 

HR can also help troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise. This could include providing support for setting up and configuring equipment, helping employees troubleshoot technical issues, and providing access to technical support resources. 

  • By focusing on technology and resources, HR can help ensure that remote employees have the tools and support they need to be productive and successful while working remotely. 

As we continue to navigate the challenges of remote work, it’s important to remember that HR has an important role to play in supporting the well-being and success of our teams. By working together and supporting each other, we can not only weather these challenging times, but emerge stronger and more united than ever before. 

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