Managing Remote Workers: A Primer

As a response to the negative impacts of the outbreak, many teams are now working remotely—an arrangement a significant number of managers and employees likely never have experienced. There are many challenges to remote work that traditional office workers never encounter. There’s a lack of face-to-face interaction, a lack of access to information, social isolation, and myriad distractions at home. There are, however, several best practices for leaders who are new to managing a team remotely. First, establish structured daily check-ins. This could be one-on-one calls or group video chats. Make sure employees feel connected and that their concerns and questions are heard. Establish prioritization of communication as well. Something along the lines of “We use video chat to check in with each other and instant messaging if something is urgent.” This can help triage people’s tasks and help make workflows clearer. Finally, provide opportunities for remote social interaction. Have some time before team calls to discuss non-work issues or have a virtual lunch meeting. While this may seem contrived, these events can help reduce feelings of isolation and promote team unity.