Anyone that manages a remote team, knows the benefits of remote workers. You can source better applicants as you’re not fixed in one city, and it’s a great way to cut down on costs. But when you bring a new remote employee into the team, the general dynamic can be a little different.
- How do you make your new remote worker feel welcomed?
- How do you build trust and keep them engaged?
Well in this article, we’ve decided to take a close look at this issue and give you a few ideas on how to keep your new employees engaged.
1 – Hold a group event or holiday.
Most companies who are 100% remote organize regular meetups or team holidays.
Some companies fly to exotic locations together, while others go to a common and convenient location for all. Either way, it’s a time when all employees come together.
It’s up to you whether your company vacation consists of lazing about by the bar or participating in team building exercises, or something completely different.
But the fact remains – A face to face meeting makes you, the company and what you’re all working toward a tangible, physical, very real thing.
This way, they can all get to know each other outside of work, but a relationship and create that trust.
2 – Make sure your new employee has everything.
Show that you actually give a damn about your new remote worker by ensuring they have what they need.
Ask your new worker is there is anything that he or she needs to improve the way that they work. Set a price limit of course, but show the initiative that you want your new employee to be happy.
Still stuck?
Headphones – everyone needs a good pair of headphones – both for work and play!
3 – It’s not all about work
This applies to office workers as well as remote employees.
Don’t get caught up talking about work. It’s not all about your previous successes, how you work or what you like to do. Talk to them about them.
In your Twist or Slack channel, have an off-topic or random channel where people are dedicated to talking about anything and everything. Ask your new employee specifically about football, baseball, their pet’s names.
Showing that you’re interested in them outside of work (and being genuine about it) goes a long way in building a rapport with a new remote worker.
4 – Create an FAQ
What happens if the team leader isn’t available?
How do I apply for sick leave?
Can I start earlier and finish earlier tomorrow?
Theses are common questions that both office and remote workers have. Rather than having to spend the time answering each one individually, have an FAQ or a Wiki on hand.
By putting your wiki in front of your new employee, they will have their questions answered and may even find the answers to questions they didn’t know they had.
This not only builds trust, but it’s a much more professional way to manage a remote team.
5 – Open communication
Many businesses have a suggestion box where workers can anonymously submit queries or suggestions. It’s hard to send an anonymous email or slack message.
But Slack integrations like Abot allow users to send anonymous messages and a great way to encourage workers to share their feedback.
But on a personal level be sure that you’re approachable. As a manager, it’s your role to be approachable if there are any problems about someone’s situation.
Be approachable and regularly approach remote workers yourself to check how they’re going. By being proactive and asking for open communication, you’re building trust with your remote workers.
6 – Be responsive and reliable
This point follows on from being open for communication – you need to also be responsive and reliable.
Being a remote worker yourself is great, but that doesn’t mean that you can shirk responsibility.
If two employees are finding it hard to work together, it’s up to you to sort the situation out. You’ll build trust by solving any problems that your remote team may have and being responsive to their requests.
Summing up
Implement these 6 tips when you hire a new remote worker and you’ll go a long way in building trust with them.
Keep them engaged by regularly working with them and checking in on them. Remember, it’s not all about work and you should encourage your remote workers to let their hair down from time to time!
