3 Ways to Make A Remote Work Environment Appeal to Your In-Office Employees

Both workers and employers have looked at the pros and cons of working from home, hybrid schedules, or working in the office. Despite which one you prefer, one thing is for certain. The remote work environment is here to stay in one form or another. 

At your company, you’ve decided to embrace a fully remote or hybrid work schedule for your employees, which may be a bummer to some looking forward to getting back to the office full-time.  And with employees wanting to work remotely 2.5 days per week, you’re not alone in choosing this work arrangement. 

However, some of your employees may look forward to enjoying in-person workplace connections and collaboration or varying their daily schedules with on-site work and in-person meetings. Or maybe they don’t feel as productive at home or, worse, they feel isolated. No matter the reason, employers must make remote work appealing to all employees.

To maintain or boost retention in this tight labor market, keep reading to learn three ways to improve the remote experience for those employees who prefer in-office work.

1. Embrace a Remote-First Mindset

When implementing remote or hybrid work schedules, you must embrace a remote-first culture. A remote-first mindset or culture refers to an organizational work structure that prioritizes the remote work environment, even if some employees are on-site.

When focusing on a remote-first organizational model, employers should interact with their employees in the same way, no matter their work location. This demonstrates an equal employee experience, whether the employee is at the office, working from home, or working from another state or country. 

Not only does this make your workplace more inclusive, but it also helps you avoid proximity bias, where preferential treatment is given to employees who are physically closer to their managers.

2. Build an Inclusive Workplace

Beyond a remote-first culture, employers should continually build an inclusive workplace to retain all employees, no matter their work preferences. 

After all, inclusivity is a must to retain and engage today’s top talent. According to a 2022 Deloitte survey, 39 percent of respondents stated that they’d leave their employer for a more inclusive one, while 23 percent claimed that they’ve already left, with millennials demanding more inclusion than Baby Boomers or Gen X.

When building an inclusive community in a remote work environment, consider touching base with your employees consistently through phone calls, instant and text messaging, email, or video conferencing. Encourage employees to have chat channels where they can share questions about work while connecting to others in your organization. Or create a virtual breakroom where employees can catch up personally.

3. Prioritize Ongoing Recognition

It may seem easier to give employee recognition when everyone’s in the office, from the “thanks for the work” to a “great job on that project” when passing an employee in the hallway.

However, prioritizing ongoing recognition for a remote or hybrid workplace can go a long way when engaging and retaining your employees. 

Here are some examples of how to give much-deserved recognition to your remote employees:

• Give employees a shout-out on social media or during a Zoom meeting
• Surprise them with a gift, such as a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or a Friday afternoon off
• Invest in your employees’ professional development
• Implement a rewards program, encouraging friendly competition among your teams
• Designate a “Zoom-free” Friday, giving employees a break from being on camera
• Provide access to an e-card program, allowing managers to drop a virtual thank you note
• Create a virtual appreciation wall, letting employees sing the praises of their co-workers

Key Takeaways

With continuing challenges at work, we’re all looking for the best ways to adapt while still appreciating our greatest asset – our employees. So, when developing and maintaining your remote work environment, be sure to consider all employees – no matter if their preference for work is remote or on-site.

By creating an appreciative, inclusive remote-first culture, you hold on to your talented employees, creating an engaging environment for all.

For more information on how Cangrade solutions can support your retention efforts in a remote work environment, contact us today.