Lili Stebbings

With the evolving landscape of remote work, managing a team can be a challenging task.

Aside from professional responsibilities, creating a healthy and supportive working environment is vital to increasing productivity, avoiding burnout, and overall employee support.

In a recent survey conducted by Ipsos World Mental Health Day, nearly 2 in 5 workers around the world, said they had to take time off work in the last 12 months due to stress. 62% of people also revealed their daily life was disrupted due to stress.

With the technicalities of remote working, checking in with your employees can sometimes get forgotten which leads to isolation, work-related stress, and a lack of personal interaction.

Thankfully, there are some practical steps you can take to offer individual employee support to your remote team and foster a happy and positive working environment.

Open and Frequent Communication 

Initiate regular check-ins: Schedule one-on-one meetings or team meetings to discuss both work-related matters and general well-being. Use video calls when possible to foster a more personal connection.

Encourage open dialogue: Create a safe space for your employees to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Let them know that their voices are heard and valued.

Active Listening

Set Clear Expectations: When your team members share their thoughts and feelings, listen attentively. Avoid interrupting or dismissing their concerns. Show empathy and understanding.

Clearly define roles and responsibilities: Ensure that your team members understand their individual and team goals. This clarity can help reduce stress and anxiety related to work tasks.

Provide regular feedback: Offer constructive feedback and praise for their efforts and accomplishments. Recognition and feedback boost morale and confidence.

Foster a Positive Work Culture

Lead by example: Demonstrate the values and work ethic you expect from your employees. Be open about your own challenges and triumphs to create a culture of authenticity.

Encourage teamwork and collaboration: Organize virtual team-building activities and group projects to strengthen the bonds among your remote team members. A sense of belonging can alleviate feelings of isolation.

Recognize achievements: Celebrate both small and significant accomplishments publicly. This boosts morale and motivation among your team members.

Support Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

Raise awareness about mental health: Acknowledge the importance of mental health and wellbeing. Make it clear that it’s okay to talk about these topics and seek support when needed.

Provide mental health resources: Offer information about resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or counselling services. Ensure that your team knows how to access these resources if required.

Encourage work-life balance: Emphasize the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Discuss strategies for managing stress, and encourage your team to take regular breaks and use their paid time off.

 

Promote Professional Development 

Offer growth opportunities: Support your team’s professional growth and development by providing access to training, courses, and resources that enhance their skills and knowledge.

Provide regular feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly to help employees improve their skills. Combine constructive criticism with positive recognition to boost their confidence.

Stay informed: Stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments and offer guidance on how to adapt to changes in your field. Providing knowledge and support in times of change is highly valuable.

 

Use Technology for Connection 

Use video meetings: Video calls provide a more personal and connected experience compared to audio-only calls. Seeing each other’s faces can create a sense of presence and human connection.

Utilize collaboration tools: Project management and communication tools like Slack, Trello, or Asana can facilitate teamwork and communication, making remote work more efficient and collaborative.

As a remote manager, your role goes beyond managing tasks, it involves creating a supportive work environment that promotes emotional wellbeing.

By fostering open communication, setting clear expectations, nurturing a positive work culture, supporting wellbeing, promoting professional development, and utilising technology for connection, you can provide valuable emotional support to your remote team.

This leads to a more engaged, motivated, and satisfied workforce, contributing to your organisation’s overall success.

Do you have any other tips when it comes to employee support? Drop a comment down below and share your advice