The workplace as we know it today has been rapidly changing. Most recently due to one of the biggest changes in the global economy COVID-19. Companies across the globe are now forced to facilitate work-from-home experience for their employees. One thing is for certain, employees now realize that work is not just a location. 

A work from home experience may provide a better work schedule, a work-life balance or even allowing companies to cut costs moving forward.

Realistically, as great as it sounds there are some drawbacks for both the employer and the employee. Which is, how do you keep your employees motivated while they are working from home?

Here are 5 tips companies can implement to help maintain motivation in employees.

Effective Communication

Effective communication is key. Since the employee and the employer are not face-to-face the chance of communication gaps or misunderstanding is there. It is encouraged that the employer communicates with the employee daily, to ensure needs are being met and any questions are being answered. 

Certainly, when you keep employees informed about the organization regardless if they are working from home, makes them feel appreciated and their opinion is valued. 

Goals and Growth

Identifying any new goals or spending on the growth of the employees is a great way to build on the relationships and keep them motivated.

Employees are working from home; they are being productive but at the end goal are they meeting their expectations? This is where you need to identify the goals that need to be done and give them a sense of direction. Regardless if the employee is a self-starter, as an employer you should give them that guidance they need.

As an employer giving your employee guidance, not only will help them stay motivated but it is also a way for you to show them how they can grow in their position. 

Support and Equipment

A work-from-home experience can be great for any employee. But realistically, even if the employees skilled at what they do the motivation and productivity is hindered when the required tools for the job are not there.  

When the shift is made from an in-house to a work-from-home, the employees often leave on their own to facilitate the right equipment, in most cases it comes out of their pocket. Offering the support to allow employees to take equipment as needed or expensed as needed will help them situate and remain productive. 

Feedback and Recognition

All business owners know feedback and recognition is a great way to keep employees motivated. But when working from home, there is no face-to-face contact, no hustle and bustle of the office. Eventually resulting in employees feeling disconnected and isolated from the team. 

One simple way to keep them motivated is just give them constant recognition and keep constant group video calls via Skype or Zoom. It can really make a difference in productivity levels for the team.

Trust


We have mentioned many different things you can do as an employer to keep your employee motivated. This one stands above all else, and can you really make or break the performance of your employees.

As an employer the most important thing you should do towards your employee is trust them. You should have enough faith and trust that they will do the job correctly, efficiently, and correctly without having constant touch points to see what has been completed. 

Keep in mind, this is a fine line to tread, if you constantly check up on your employees it can be misconstrued as micromanaging which will heavily decrease the motivation and quality of work. On the other hand, if you do not check up on your employees, they could potentially take advantage and do little to no work at all.

Keeping your employees motivated during COVID-19 is probably one of the biggest challenges many businesses are facing. The few points above can really change the work-from-home experience for them for the better. Giving support and comfort they need to preform is what will help your team strive.