Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Vernon | Delivered April 7, 2020

Motivating Remote Employees During COVID-19

Goals

To provide 4 (each in one bullet point) creative and unique ways that companies are motivating or can motivate their remote employees.

Early Findings

Offering emotional support: Many employees who were not previously remote workers are being forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this may result in loneliness, anxiety, and stress as the employees are unaccustomed to this work model. It is therefore important for companies to acknowledge that their employees are stressed and will need time to adjust, then to proceed to "listen to their concerns, and empathize with their struggles." Team leaders should ask questions, reassure their team members, and offer encouraging words using the "two-pronged approach, keeping things running in tandem." Companies can also set up an "employee engagement survey to understand the general mood within the remote workforce," and provide a “life events services team” to prepare employees for the pandemic.
Encouraging employee feedback: Listening to employees and letting them know their opinions count is another way to encourage and motivate them. It is important to "avoid micromanaging" employees from home as this can make them feel that they are not trusted. Employee feedback can also help "spot problem areas and fix them before it’s too late." Companies can allow their employees to make decisions on their own, as it is impossible to "monitor everything they do."
Creating a virtual office culture: To help employees settle into working from home, organizations must note that pets and kids will always get in the way. Companies can "normalize the presence of kids in the virtual workplace," or, if practicable organize "fun events" to feature employees and their wards. This will help keep employees confident and relaxed as they do not have to hide their kids and pets during virtual meetings.
 Helping employees stay healthy: Organizations can show concern for their employees' health even as they work from home. Co-workers can "take high-intensity interval training classes together."  For example, Momentum Worldwide "shared access to remote mindfulness, nutrition, and fitness experts to support employees."