10 Best Practices for Managing Remote Employees in 2024

The rise of remote work has transformed the way companies operate, creating a geographically dispersed workforce. While this offers many benefits, implementing a new set of best practices for managing remote employees is essential. From fostering clear communication to establishing trust and accountability, mastering these strategies is key to unlocking the full potential of your remote team.

Whether you're new to managing remote employees or a seasoned expert, explore these tips to effectively guide your remote workers.

Benefits of Remote Working for Employers

Having explored the effectiveness of remote working, let's look at the specific benefits it offers companies.

1. Global Talent Pool

Remote work exceeds geographical boundaries, allowing companies to tap into a global talent pool. No longer constrained by location, you can recruit skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives that will enrich the team's capabilities.

2. Reduce Overhead Costs

One of the most appealing benefits of remote work is the significant reduction in overhead costs. Global Workplace Analysis reports that nearly 6 out of 10 employers recognize cost savings as a major advantage of allowing employees to work remotely. Companies can save on office space rentals, utilities, and other operational expenses, freeing up resources for investment in other areas.

3. Enhanced Productivity

As we have discussed before, research consistently shows that remote employees are often more productive than their in-office counterparts. Spend longer hours at work, free from the distractions of a bustling office environment and the time drain of commuting, and remote workers can focus on deep work and deliver results.

4. Increased Employee Satisfaction

Remote work fosters greater employee autonomy and flexibility, improving work-life balance and job satisfaction. Satisfied employees tend to be more engaged and driven to excel. A FlexJobs survey revealed that 79% of workers would demonstrate greater loyalty to their employers if offered flexible work arrangements, such as remote work.

Also Read: Secrets Revealed: 8 Ways Global Tech Companies are Profiting Through Hiring Remote Talent

Challenges of Managing Remote Employees

As with yin and yang, alongside the advantages, remote working presents its own set of challenges. Here are some key challenges of managing remote employees for companies that might need attention:

1. Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration can become more challenging in a remote setting. Investing in reliable communication tools and establishing clear protocols to ensure seamless interaction among team members is essential.

2. Maintaining Company Culture

Building a vibrant company culture becomes complex when employees are scattered across different locations. The absence of a shared physical space and daily interactions makes it harder for employees to connect with colleagues and internalize the company's values and mission. This can lead to feelings of isolation, disengagement, and a weakened sense of belonging.

3. Performance Management

Traditional performance metrics, such as attendance and hours spent in the office, become irrelevant in a remote work environment where flexibility and autonomy are key. Instead, companies need to shift their focus to outcomes and results-based assessments. This means evaluating employees based on their achievements, deliverables, and overall contribution to the company's goals rather than the time spent working.

4. Technology and Infrastructure

Remote work is entirely dependent on reliable technology infrastructure. Technical difficulties like slow or unreliable internet connections, software glitches, or hardware malfunctions can significantly hamper productivity and create frustration for employees. Furthermore, ensuring data security and protecting sensitive information while working remotely can be challenging due to the increased reliance on cloud-based tools and collaboration platforms.

Also Read: Top 5 Recommendations for the Best Employee Monitoring Software for Remote Workers

Best Practices for Managing Remote Employees

Many challenges inherent in remote working may leave companies hesitant to apply it fully. However, viable solutions exist for the benefits and challenges encountered in remote work settings. Below are several best practices companies can employ to effectively implement remote working strategies that prove advantageous for all stakeholders involved.

1. Communication is Key

Clear and consistent communication is crucial for the success of any team working remotely. A study by Buffer in 2023 found that 8% of remote workers cite collaboration and communication as their biggest struggle.

To combat this, companies should invest in tools that facilitate seamless communication, such as Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. Regular virtual meetings, both one-on-one and team-wide, help maintain a sense of connection and ensure everyone is on the same page.

2. Set Clear Expectations

Clear expectations are crucial for remote workers to understand their roles and responsibilities. This includes setting clear deadlines, outlining deliverables, and providing regular feedback.

A study by Gallup found that employees who receive regular feedback are 3.2 times more likely to be motivated in their work. This feedback can be delivered remotely through virtual meetings, email, or project management tools like Asana or Trello.

3. Promote a Culture of Trust

A Harvard Business Review study found that high-trust companies report 50% higher productivity than low-trust companies. This highlights the importance of trust for any team, especially remote teams.

To bring up trust, companies should empower employees to make decisions, recognize their contributions, and provide opportunities for professional development.

4. Invest in Cybersecurity

Malwarebytes found that 20% of organizations have experienced a security breach due to remote work. The increasing frequency of cyberattacks highlights the need for companies to prioritize strong cybersecurity defenses, including firewalls, antivirus software, and comprehensive employee training on best practices.

5. Promote Work-Life Balance

Remote survey found that 40% of remote workers struggle with unplugging after work. Encourage employees to set clear boundaries between work and personal time, take regular breaks, and use their vacation days. Offer flexible schedules where possible to accommodate individual needs and promote a healthy work-life balance.

Also Read: How to Hire Remote Employees for Singapore Company

6. Encourage Social Interaction

Buffer's 2023 report also found that 15% of remote workers reported loneliness as their biggest struggle. The company can combat this by facilitating virtual social events, team-building activities, and casual communication channels. Encourage employees to connect with each other on a personal level to build camaraderie and reduce feelings of isolation.

7. Provide Ergonomic Workspaces

A study by the American Chiropractic Association found that remote workers are more likely to experience musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain and neck pain due to inadequate workstations.

To help avoid it, provide resources or stipends for employees to create comfortable and ergonomic work setups at home. This can include ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and proper lighting.

8. Prioritize Mental Health

A 2024 report by Calm found that 69% of employees’ mental health remained the same or worsened in the past year.

To overcome this, offer resources like mental health counseling or subscriptions to wellness apps. Normalize discussions around mental health and create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help when needed.

9. Invest in Training and Development

A LinkedIn Learning report found that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development. In line with that, offer opportunities for remote employees to learn new skills, attend virtual conferences, or pursue certifications. This not only benefits individual employees but also contributes to the overall growth and expertise of the company.

10. Regularly Evaluate and Adapt

Remote work is constantly evolving, so it's important to assess what's working and what can be improved regularly. Collect employee feedback through surveys or focus groups and use this data to make informed decisions about your remote work policies and practices.

Also Read: 20 Unique Methods for Enhanced Employee Engagement

Is Remote Working Effective?

In 2018, or before the pandemic, the idea of remote work was relatively rare and hardly utilized. In the United States, as reported by Zippia, only 5.7% of Americans worked remotely that year. However, by 2019, this figure surged to 22.4%, then nearly doubling when the pandemic began in 2020, reaching 41.7%. Despite a subsequent decline in the following year, the number of remote workers in America continues to grow.

The rise of remote work has prompted questions about its impact on productivity and well-being. A survey of 1000 US remote and hybrid workers by Ergotron suggests a significant correlation between working from home and increased productivity, largely attributed to employees working 40% longer hours when remote.

According to Apollo Technical, remote work can also boost performance. This is attributed to a quieter and more comfortable working environment. In line with this, remote workers also have a lower absenteeism rate, according to research by The Council of Disability Awareness.

However, the benefits go beyond just output. Future Forum's survey reveals that remote workers experience twice the level of work-life balance compared to their in-office counterparts. This enhanced balance is complemented by higher levels of focus, satisfaction with their work environment, and flexibility – factors that contribute to overall job satisfaction and well-being.

While longer hours undoubtedly play a role, the ability to customize one's work environment, eliminate commuting time, and integrate personal tasks more seamlessly into the workday likely contribute to both the productivity gains and the improved work-life balance reported by remote workers. These findings suggest that when implemented thoughtfully, remote work can be a powerful tool for employers and employees seeking to enhance productivity and foster a healthier, more balanced work-life dynamic.

After all, remote work is here to stay, and companies that embrace it stand to gain a significant competitive advantage. By implementing remote working best practices, companies can create a thriving remote work environment that fosters productivity, engagement, and innovation.

Successful remote work is not just about having the right tools; it's about creating a culture that supports and empowers employees to do their best work from anywhere.

And if you're looking for skilled professionals ready to excel in a remote setting, look no further than Talentport. Join us today to discover how we can help you build a world-class remote team.