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Despite the increased opportunities for flexibility and productivity, the remote work era has also presented challenges for human resources professionals. From ensuring employee well-being to maintaining seamless communication across virtual teams, HR departments must adapt and innovate to keep remote work arrangements efficient.
Below, 20 Forbes Human Resources Council members discuss the strategies, tools and best practices for managing remote work operations. Follow their recommendations to help your company not only navigate but thrive amidst the challenges of having a distributed team.
1. Connect Employees Cross-Functionally
HR can create moments that matter by connecting employees with each other cross-functionally. Pair people together with get-to-know-you questions and calendar it. Be sure to create career mobility programs and mentoring programs that include both remote and onsite employees. By creating connection, you create belonging. - Cat Colella-Graham
2. Understand One Size Does Not Fit All
Being intentional in supporting all ways of work is paramount. Understanding that one size does not fit all will be the key to successfully creating work environments that support and enable people to contribute and grow. Leveraging technology and communication channels and developing trust through regular and frequent connection sets the table for meaningful development, coaching and performance. - Maria Miletic
3. Invest In Robust Digital Infrastructure
HR can enhance remote work efficiency by investing in robust digital infrastructure, providing virtual collaboration tools and fostering a strong sense of connection among remote teams. Regular check-ins, training on digital tools and promoting work-life balance contribute to a successful remote work environment. - Rick Hammell, Atlas
4. State Expectations Clearly And Ensure Communications Channels Are Accessible
A remote work policy must be clear to all with expectations stated, and clear communication channels and support systems must be accessible. Work tools proficiency must be ensured, so performance will be more focused on the achievement of objectives. These tools should have well-being modules so that work-life integration can be achieved to avoid burnout and mental health issues due to isolation and long hours of work. - Kunbi Adeoti, Leadway Group
5. Possess Skills Like Communication And Empathy
To manage remote employees effectively, it is essential that managers possess specific skills, such as advanced communication, empathy and understanding of health and safety regulations. Organizations must identify potential compliance and non-conformance, develop technology strategies to address business risks and invest in infrastructure, taking into account staff and employer needs. - Dr. Nara Ringrose, Cyclife Aquila Nuclear
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6. Provide Tools, Training And Resources
Amidst all the hand-wringing about remote work, one thing is clear: Managers need to manage their people, wherever they sit. HR can support both employees and management by providing tools, training and resources and by encouraging the company to focus on goals and accountability via a solid performance framework. - Tracy Cote, StockX
7. Invest In Your Leaders
Investing in your leaders and how they can effectively hold one-on-ones with their direct reports is the best way to ensure safe spaces are built on the individual level. Manager-employee relationships are key to making people feel a part of a collective. This also gives managers an opportunity to channel any feedback from the employee in the remote workplace to HR. - Halai Shukran, Pluribus Digital
8. Establish Predictable And Consistent Communications Forums
Fully enabling remote work to be successful in any company requires being really intentional, thoughtful and empathetic of the individual and team experiences. Establishing predictable and consistent communications forums is key, as well as curating thoughtful and authentic ways to connect people together to develop and sustain relationships are a few examples to enable success. - Lauren Tropeano, Skillshare
9. Hold Regular Conversations With Managers
Not all challenges in a digital world have a digital solution. HR should have regular conversations with managers, approaching them with curiosity to better explore the root causes of the issue. This allows for effective troubleshooting to find the right solution(s), from training to revisiting the scheduling arrangements of a team, to meet operational and organizational needs. - Jennifer Rozon, McLean & Company
10. Implement Performance Management Programs
Implement performance management programs where goals are clear and easily tracked. Concern about productivity is one of managers' biggest worries when it comes to remote work. The more easily productivity is measured and tracked, the more easily trust will be established, and flexible work arrangements will be easier to manage and execute. - Sanja Licina, QuestionPro
11. Set Up A Clear Channel For New Hires To Ask Questions
Set up clear avenues for people, especially new hires, to ask questions about their roles and responsibilities. Whether in-person or remote, what employees want is clarity on how they can do their jobs and what it takes to succeed. In a remote environment, pathways to information can be hidden, so bring those forward by setting up channels, partnerships or meetings that invite conversation. - Ursula Mead, InHerSight
12. Commit To The Resources Needed To Engage Efficiently
It has to be intentional. Organizations have to commit strategically, financially and intentionally to the resources needed to engage efficiently in the digital world. This can be done through investment in the right platform, along with dedicated rewards in place to promote this behavior. - Omar Alhadi, Adobe Population Health
13. Add A Demographic Option To Field To Surveys
We have added a demographic field of in-office, hybrid and full remote to our employee surveys. This is one way we are able to look at sentiment differences and similarities across the various work arrangements as we monitor employee engagement and employee sentiment across various topics. - Amy Casciotti, TechSmith Corporation
14. Embrace Asynchronous Communication
In remote work, wellness check-ins unveil hidden stress, ensuring team health beyond tasks. Embrace asynchronous communication for global inclusivity to ease response stress. Shift performance metrics to value results not just hours logged. Foster unity in remote teams by involving them in decision-making, enhancing engagement and efficacy. - Katrina Jones, Acacia Network
15. Rely On Virtual Mentoring Programs
HR leaders can lean on virtual mentoring programs to meaningfully connect remote employees. In a digital world, mentoring is a chance for remote employees to build connections, network with peers and protect themselves from feeling isolated. As a bonus, mentoring programs have an outsized impact on collaboration, employee development and productivity. - Matthew Reeves, Together Software
16. Ensure Teams Are Communicating Effectively
The key to supporting and managing remote work arrangements is to ensure teams are communicating effectively. Video conferencing and messaging platforms have become essential for remote workers. When the right tools are paired with clear expectations set by management and regular one-on-ones to track employees’ progress, teams can be productive, regardless of where they work. - John Feldmann, Insperity
17. Focus On Clear Communication, Regular Check-Ins And Virtual Meetings
Managers should focus on clear communication, regular check-ins and virtual meetings that will help remote team members feel connected to each other and valued within the company. Establishing clear expectations and performance metrics tailored for a remote work setting is key to an environment where both managers and employees feel that they are efficient and productive. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
18. Foster Collaboration Through Digital Platforms
Foster effective communication and collaboration through various digital channels or platforms. This includes not only work-related meetings but also virtual social interactions to maintain team cohesion, connection and organizational culture. - Lisa Shuster, iHire
19. Implement Digital Communication Tools, Provide Training And Support Mental Health
By implementing digital communication tools, providing training on remote work, setting clear expectations, providing support for mental health and well-being, ensuring data security and conducting regular performance reviews, HR can help remote employees remain productive, motivated and engaged. With these solutions, remote work can be a great success that benefits employees and organizations. - Reema Akhtar, Seer Solutions
20. Set Expectations For Communicating Efficiently
Set expectations for communication so remote workers understand how to communicate efficiently. Especially if not everyone on the team is entirely remote, employees and their teams benefit from guidelines that lay out when remote workers should be accessible, how often they should communicate with their managers and which platforms are best suited to different communications. - Niki Jorgensen, Insperity
