Until 2019 companies did not find the need to make their employees work remotely. The majority of work was done in the office and companies hired freelancers occasionally to do the extra work, such as content, design, etc.
Covid-19 changed the situation completely and employees started working from home. Therefore, working remotely and freelancing opportunities grew rapidly. Companies have now understood the benefit of letting their employees work remotely.
Thus, in today’s world, remote work has become increasingly popular. This trend is because many employees prefer working from home rather than commuting to their office. However, this type of employment arrangement comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that employees feel comfortable and productive while working remotely. To address this challenge, employers should consider implementing various benefits programs that would help employees stay motivated and engaged at work.
The HR (Human Resources) team plays a vital role in enhancing the experience of remote employees and onboarding them. In HR onboarding, the team familiarizes new hires working remotely, with the organization. The HR team starts working from the moment an offer is made to the candidate till the time he/she becomes a productive member of the organization.
Here are some ways the HR team creates a positive experience that helps remote employees:
Employee Engagement
Employee engagement refers to the level of involvement and commitment remote employees show towards their organization. HR team ensures that employees working remotely are engaged with the training and development courses provided by the organization.
Organizational Culture
Organizations that embrace change and innovation tend to have a positive work culture where employees feel valued and appreciated. HR team plays a vital role in encouraging creativity and collaboration among employees working remotely. They also offer opportunities for personal growth and career advancement.
Communication
Communication plays a critical role in building strong relationships between managers and employees. Managers should communicate clearly and effectively with their teams. They should also listen carefully to what employees say and respond appropriately. The HR team maintains a balance between the employees and managers and conducts timely meetings, which help in improving communication. Communication helps in sharing relevant information and collaborating efficiently.
Training & Development
Training and development programs help employees develop skills and knowledge needed to perform their jobs better. They also help employees learn from mistakes and improve performance. It is the responsibility of the HR team to create and carry out training and development programs regularly for remote employees. These programs increase the proficiency level of the employees and develop positive experiences.
Flexible Training
Flexible working arrangements allow employees to work from home, at different times, and even across multiple time zones. This allows them to balance their personal and professional lives. The HR team develops and shares updates with remote employees and training and development courses which can be taken anytime by the employees. Training helps employees develop skills and knowledge needed to perform their job functions remotely. It also helps them adjust to the new environment and learn how to best utilize technology.
Technology
Technology plays a big role in making remote working possible. A good example would be video conferencing software. It enables employees to connect face-to-face without having to physically meet. Technology has helped make the job easier for the HR department.
Create a Culture of Inclusion
Inclusion means making sure everyone feels welcome at work. This could mean having a diverse group of people working together, including those from different backgrounds and cultures. It could also mean ensuring that everyone gets equal opportunities to learn and grow. The Human Resources (HR) team works hard in creating a culture of inclusion for the remote employees which helps in enhancing their work experience.
Transparency and Fairness
Transparency is about being honest and open about what goes on at work. It’s about being clear about policies and procedures. It’s also about being fair and consistent. Fairness means treating everyone equally. It doesn’t matter whether they are male or female, young or old, gay or straight, black or white, disabled or able-bodied. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly. The HR team ensures a transparent and fair working environment.
Provide Feedback
Feedback is a great tool to help improve performance. Managers should ask questions and offer constructive criticism whenever possible. They can also give praise where appropriate. By doing this, they create a safe environment for their teams to express concerns and receive guidance. The HR team ensures the managers share timely feedback with their remote employees.
Conclusion
Many employees prefer working remotely because they want to spend less time commuting to and from work. This means that they might lose access to employer-provided health insurance coverage. Employers can solve this problem and develop confidence in remote employees by offering them health insurance plans that cover both medical and dental care. The HR team can make sure all the employees are provided equal opportunities, irrespective of their workplace.
Managers should always be accessible. They should respond promptly to emails and phone calls from their remote teams.
