The novel coronavirus hasn't disappeared, but the novelty of working from home has. Over the course of a few days, organizations across the globe abandoned their comfort zones and moved to all-remote operations. To their credit, most companies rallied to figure out how to stay open for business. In some cases, the result was a sense of togetherness that temporarily buoyed spirits and united departments.
\r\nYet after the initial shock and newness wore off, the tough reality of telecommuting set in. Remote work isn't necessarily instinctive, even though a majority of American workers have clamored for the opportunity to do the \"carpet commute.\" Be careful what you wish for.
\r\nBuffer's 2020 State of Remote Work survey revealed that an extraordinary 98% of respondents wanted to work from home at least some of the time. Nineteen percent of those participants said they wanted to telecommute more often, ostensibly because of advantages like being able to work from anywhere and spending more time with family members.
\r\nWith statistics like those, you might presume that the vast majority of employees pushed into telework because of COVID-19 quarantine regulations would feel completely at ease. However, that isn't the case. Sure, for the right introverted personalities who thrive on remote work, turning an extra bedroom into a workstation has been a blessing. Nonetheless, extroverts who feed off constant interaction with peers or prefer classic workplace arrangements may find it more difficult.
\r\nLet's face it: Working at home isn't always easy or ideal in the best of circumstances. It can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, not to mention a nagging sense of being out of the loop. Under coronavirus shelter-in-place measures, employees can't run to the nearest Starbucks to log on or indulge in a little traveling while staying virtually tethered to headquarters. They’re stuck at home, worried about job security, and maybe experiencing physical discomfort from using ergonomically incorrect furniture for desks and chairs.
\r\nSome workers live alone and may feel isolated; others may have children and a partner/spouse and feel overwhelmed or they may be responsible for taking care of an elderly family member. No matter the situation, remote work isn't as fun as many expected it to be.
\r\nAfter Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of the South, researchers from Texas A&M University evaluated the effects of remote work on team productivity. Their findings showed that between days 30 and 60 of telecommuting, employees returned to their pre-disturbance efficiency levels. In other words, employees proved resilient in the face of a sudden upheaval.
\r\nEmployers are now within that 30- to 60-day window or beyond, which means leaders can boost spirits and maybe reach previously unrealized levels of creative thinking and teamwork with the right strategies. As Nicholas Bloom noted during his TEDx Stanford talk, a two-year study of working-at-home productivity showed a 13% increase among people who telecommuted. If companies can master remote work, they might just wind up poised to disrupt by the time the coronavirus chaos calms down.
\r\nMy company is among countless businesses trying to keep morale, efficiency, innovation, and hope high amid unanswered questions and major workplace dynamic shifts. By facing the challenges and realities head-on, I've discovered how critical camaraderie is for partially or completely remote teams. Beyond everything else, workers must feel safe and engaged. Otherwise, they'll find it difficult to perform their jobs from home.
\r\nOur executives and managers have experimented with several techniques to make remote working easier across the board. Try these tips to weather the current storm and be in a position to bounce back stronger than before.
\r\nEmployees won't necessarily fall seamlessly into working from home without guidance. Maybe they're not sure how often to check in with supervisors, or perhaps they're reluctant to get in touch with IT out of fear they'll look foolish.
\r\nCreate and publish a comprehensive work-from-home guide. Give workers real-time access to the document, and notify them when you make updates or clarify sections. For instance, you may have originally asked that employees be at their computers by 8:30 a.m., only to realize that a later start time seems to better suit team members' morning responsibilities.
\r\nIn addition to providing guidance, communicate often with everyone. Hold a regular Zoom meeting, or start an \"Ask Me Anything\" live chat. Be authentic and transparent, especially about what you still don't know. By being \"exceedingly human\" (as the author, business management expert, and consultant Patrick Lencioni says), you'll show empathy and understanding at a time when your crew needs to hear it most.
\r\nEmployees deserve a healthy balance between the time they spend at work and the time they spend for themselves and their families. However, the coronavirus pandemic has effectively removed home-office barriers. This means people may work practically around the clock, which can inevitably lead to mental exhaustion.
\r\nIt only makes sense: Many workers feel grateful to have employment at a time when the Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment estimates hover near the 15% mark. Therefore, they work themselves nonstop. What they deserve to hear is that it's critical for them to block off some downtime.
\r\nYou may appreciate being able to contact employees at midnight and receive instant responses. Nevertheless, resist the urge to push employees to their limits. According to a Harvard Business Review piece, leaders must rethink what \"high performance\" means in telecommuting situations and explain to workers that it's OK to relax. Everyone is running on fumes emotionally, and insisting they sacrifice their well-being to complete a task won't help engagement.
\r\nInstead of guessing whether employees feel comfortable or content, issue surveys from week to week. Using a simple Likert Scale of 1-10 will help evaluate whether the overall mood of your remote workforce is improving, declining, or holding steady.
\r\nYou don't have to pay for heavy-duty surveying software, either. Google Forms offers great tools for conducting basic surveys. Consider asking employees to rate anything from how they're feeling generally to their perceived productivity levels. After the first couple of surveys, you'll have a baseline understanding of where your people are.
\r\nA survey can also be the right place to ask employees if they need anything special such as a printer, second monitor, lighting, or desk. As the employer, you want your team to have access to proper equipment. Now isn't the time to be stingy about ordering someone a comfortable chair or upgraded laptop to be used for remote purposes or presenting key personnel with stipends to buy home office essentials.
\r\nThe ambiance of a person's working space impacts the quality of their work. Someone who regularly moves from the couch to the bed to the patio may be unable to remain focused on tasks. Carving out a dedicated work area can be tough, particularly for someone who lives with several family members or whose home offers limited unused space. Still, it's important to have a quiet place that's dedicated to working.
\r\nHelp your employees actively find a place they can call their own by getting to know your performers' working styles and asking whether they feel they're able to do their best now. If you notice that a direct report's performance seems unnaturally low, find out if the workspace could be part of the problem.
\r\nIf workers aren't confident because of inadequate surroundings, do what you can in terms of recommendations. At the same time, be aware that some residential layouts aren't exactly conducive to ideal setups. Urge everyone to get innovative, even if that means turning a walk-in closet or well-lit basement corner into a cozy work area.
\r\nWhen your team worked in an office setting, you probably only scratched the surface of the technologies you used (e.g., Microsoft Excel or Google Docs). Most people utilize software in limited capacities. Now is the perfect time to explore ways to make life simpler by digging deeper into the platforms you regularly use.
\r\nBegin this process by Googling the \"tips and tricks\" of all the technology you currently rely upon — from Slack to Salesforce — and encourage employees to follow suit. That way, you can divide and conquer, uncovering ways to become more efficient with familiar tools. Next, ask some team members to explore other technologies. You may even want to invest in free or low-cost trials when possible.
\r\nDoes your team host regular online meetings? Take a test run with a competitor of the virtual meeting interface you traditionally use, such as trying GoToMeeting instead of Skype. Compare the advantages and downsides of each platform. Who knows? You may find some great technology out there that you wouldn’t have uncovered without the quarantine.
\r\nEmployees don't run into colleagues throughout the day when they're at home. That means they can't let off steam at the watercooler, which can cause a buildup of anxiety and frustration. Is it any wonder, then, that burnout and remote work tend to go hand in hand? As Gallup research noted, isolation under normal circumstances — and these are hardly normal times — can cause effectiveness to drop 21%. Who knows what the percentage is amid a pandemic shut-in?
\r\nOne way to combat confinement-related stress is via one-to-one check-ins that have nothing to do with assignments, clients, or operations. No time to meet with everyone in your company? No problem: Make time for your direct reports.
\r\nAdditionally, encourage chitchat by setting up casual Slack channels or allowing time before videoconferencing sessions to encourage idle conversation. You might even want to start \"office tour\" video sessions where people can show off their virtual stations for co-workers to see. Employees won't necessarily reach out on their own, so give them the green light to stay in touch. Be certain to include yourself in the banter, too. And if your furry friend photo-bombs your Microsoft Teams call, all the better. Life happens.
\r\nYou're over-communicating and staying in touch with everyone. That's a good start, but you’ll want to go the extra mile with occasional surprises. I recently sent my team members coffee mugs as a throwback to our company culture. I miss mingling with people at the coffee station.
\r\nWhether you send e-gift cards to people who have gone above and beyond, or you have boxes of healthy snacks delivered to everyone's doors, you'll buoy your staffers' spirits. A million Slack “I appreciate you” messages won't have the same uplifting effects as receiving a little surprise in the mail — or even a little bonus in the paycheck.
\r\nThe goal is for your culture to retain a sense of uniqueness and strength throughout the ups and downs of sheltering in place. Brainstorm with fellow executives around ways to say thanks, then deploy your ideas.
\r\nThe past few months have thrown many companies for a loop. Instead of taking a \"let’s wait this out\" approach to heading up a remote team, use the time wisely to build morale, engagement, and innovative thinking. Leaders who view COVID-19 as a chance to learn and differentiate will set up their workforces for present and future success.
\n","docType":"article","guid":"articles_72335744ac70168a6b1f4274da9564f4","lastModified":"2020-06-01T12:00:00.000Z","published":"2020-06-01T12:00:00.000Z","structuredData":null,"subtitle":"In order to get the. most out of employees who are working from home, it is critical to keep them motivated and engaged.","template":"v1","title":"7 Strategies to Motivate Your Remote Team","type":"article","author":{"avatar":null,"bio":"A lifelong entrepreneur, Jason McCann has over 20 years of experience building and running successful companies. As a founder and the CEO of Vari, Jason’s mission is to help companies reimagine the workspace. Vari started with one innovative product and has grown to be a global leader in workspace innovation with products found in over 130 countries.","name":"Jason McCann","image":null,"slug":null,"social":{"facebook":"","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mccann-varidesk/","twitter":"https://twitter.com/jason_s_mccann","website":"https://www.vari.com/"},"status":"enabled","title":null,"type":"New BDC Member","user":{"imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/uploads/user/profile/acaf30d341102882ce37eab046d0f4b300a5e.jpg","profile":{"company":"Vari","jobTitle":"Founder and CEO","website":"https://www.vari.com/"}}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Human Resources","slug":"human-resources"},"sub":{"name":"Managing","slug":"managing"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Try these seven strategies for making remote work easier across the board.","title":"How to Motivate Remote Employees - business.com"},"parsedContent":{"toc":[{"id":"1-communicate-your-expectations,-making-updates-as-needed","title":"1. Communicate your expectations, making updates as needed"},{"id":"2-set-working-parameters","title":"2. Set working parameters"},{"id":"3-initiate-surveys-to-gauge-morale","title":"3. Initiate surveys to gauge morale"},{"id":"4-encourage-everyone-to-develop-a-dedicated-workspace","title":"4. Encourage everyone to develop a dedicated workspace"},{"id":"5-discover,-test-and-implement-new-technologies-together","title":"5. Discover, test and implement new technologies together"},{"id":"6-take-time-for-check-ins-and-chats","title":"6. Take time for check-ins and chats"},{"id":"7-reward-employees","title":"7. Reward employees"}],"json":[{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Nearly all respondents in a 2020 Buffer survey wanted to work from home at least some of the time and 19% wanted to telecommute more frequently."]},{"component":"li","children":["But working remotely isn't always easy, especially with the isolation, loneliness, and communication challenges associated with coronavirus shelter-in-place measures."]},{"component":"li","children":["The challenges of telecommuting don't mean that productivity and innovation needs to suffer: Research on Hurricane Harvey survivors found that employees returned to pre-disturbance efficiency levels between days 30 and 60 of remote work."]},{"component":"li","children":["These seven tips will help make remote work easier and help you build the team's build engagement and innovative thinking."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["The novel coronavirus hasn't disappeared, but the novelty of working from home has. Over the course of a few days, organizations across the globe abandoned their comfort zones and moved to all-remote operations. To their credit, most companies rallied to figure out how to stay open for business. In some cases, the result was a sense of togetherness that temporarily buoyed spirits and united departments."]},{"component":"p","children":["Yet after the initial shock and newness wore off, the tough reality of telecommuting set in. Remote work isn't necessarily instinctive, even though a majority of American workers have clamored for the opportunity to do the \"carpet commute.\" Be careful what you wish for."]},{"component":"p","children":["Buffer's ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://lp.buffer.com/state-of-remote-work-2020","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["2020 State of Remote Work"]}," survey revealed that an extraordinary 98% of respondents wanted to work from home at least some of the time. Nineteen percent of those participants said they wanted to telecommute more often, ostensibly because of advantages like being able to work from anywhere and spending more time with family members."]},{"component":"p","children":["With statistics like those, you might presume that the vast majority of employees pushed into telework because of COVID-19 quarantine regulations would feel completely at ease. However, that isn't the case. Sure, for the right introverted personalities who thrive on remote work, turning an extra bedroom into a workstation has been a blessing. Nonetheless, extroverts who feed off constant interaction with peers or prefer classic workplace arrangements may find it more difficult."]},{"component":"p","children":["Let's face it: Working at home isn't always easy or ideal in the best of circumstances. It can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, not to mention a nagging sense of being out of the loop. Under coronavirus shelter-in-place measures, employees can't run to the nearest Starbucks to log on or indulge in a little traveling while staying virtually tethered to headquarters. They’re stuck at home, worried about job security, and maybe experiencing physical discomfort from using ergonomically incorrect furniture for desks and chairs."]},{"component":"p","children":["Some workers live alone and may feel isolated; others may have children and a partner/spouse and feel overwhelmed or they may be responsible for taking care of an elderly family member. No matter the situation, remote work isn't as fun as many expected it to be."]},{"component":"p","children":["After Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of the South, ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.vari.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-VariGlobalContentLibrary/default/dw5bc702f6/resources/return-to-productivity-tips.pdf","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["researchers from Texas A&M University"]}," evaluated the effects of remote work on team productivity. Their findings showed that between days 30 and 60 of telecommuting, employees returned to their pre-disturbance efficiency levels. In other words, employees proved resilient in the face of a sudden upheaval."]},{"component":"p","children":["Employers are now within that 30- to 60-day window or beyond, which means leaders can boost spirits and maybe reach previously unrealized levels of creative thinking and teamwork with the right strategies. As ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiUyyZPIHyY&feature=emb_logo","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["Nicholas Bloom noted"]}," during his TEDx Stanford talk, a two-year study of working-at-home productivity showed a 13% increase among people who telecommuted. If companies can master remote work, they might just wind up poised to disrupt by the time the coronavirus chaos calms down."]},{"component":"p","children":["My company is among countless businesses trying to keep morale, efficiency, innovation, and hope high amid unanswered questions and major workplace dynamic shifts. By facing the challenges and realities head-on, I've discovered how critical camaraderie is for partially or completely remote teams. Beyond everything else, workers must feel safe and engaged. Otherwise, they'll find it difficult to perform their jobs from home."]},{"component":"p","children":["Our executives and managers have experimented with several techniques to make remote working easier across the board. Try these tips to weather the current storm and be in a position to bounce back stronger than before."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"1-communicate-your-expectations,-making-updates-as-needed"},"children":["1. Communicate your expectations, making updates as needed"]},{"component":"p","children":["Employees won't necessarily fall seamlessly into working from home without guidance. Maybe they're not sure how often to check in with supervisors, or perhaps they're reluctant to get in touch with IT out of fear they'll look foolish."]},{"component":"p","children":["Create and publish a comprehensive work-from-home guide. Give workers real-time access to the document, and notify them when you make updates or clarify sections. For instance, you may have originally asked that employees be at their computers by 8:30 a.m., only to realize that a later start time seems to better suit team members' morning responsibilities."]},{"component":"p","children":["In addition to providing guidance, communicate often with everyone. Hold a regular Zoom meeting, or start an \"Ask Me Anything\" live chat. Be authentic and transparent, especially about what you still don't know. By being \"exceedingly human\" (as the author, business management expert, and consultant Patrick Lencioni says), you'll show empathy and understanding at a time when your crew needs to hear it most."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"2-set-working-parameters"},"children":["2. Set working parameters"]},{"component":"p","children":["Employees deserve a healthy balance between the time they spend at work and the time they spend for themselves and their families. However, the coronavirus pandemic has effectively removed home-office barriers. This means people may work practically around the clock, which can inevitably lead to mental exhaustion."]},{"component":"p","children":["It only makes sense: Many workers feel grateful to have employment at a time when the ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment estimates"]}," hover near the 15% mark. Therefore, they work themselves nonstop. What they deserve to hear is that it's critical for them to block off some downtime."]},{"component":"p","children":["You may appreciate being able to contact employees at midnight and receive instant responses. Nevertheless, resist the urge to push employees to their limits. According to a ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://hbr.org/2018/11/helping-remote-workers-avoid-loneliness-and-burnout","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["Harvard Business Review piece"]},", leaders must rethink what \"high performance\" means in telecommuting situations and explain to workers that it's OK to relax. Everyone is running on fumes emotionally, and insisting they sacrifice their well-being to complete a task won't help engagement."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"3-initiate-surveys-to-gauge-morale"},"children":["3. Initiate surveys to gauge morale"]},{"component":"p","children":["Instead of guessing whether employees feel comfortable or content, issue surveys from week to week. Using a simple Likert Scale of 1-10 will help evaluate whether the overall mood of your remote workforce is improving, declining, or holding steady."]},{"component":"p","children":["You don't have to pay for heavy-duty surveying software, either. Google Forms offers great tools for conducting basic surveys. Consider asking employees to rate anything from how they're feeling generally to their perceived productivity levels. After the first couple of surveys, you'll have a baseline understanding of where your people are."]},{"component":"p","children":["A survey can also be the right place to ask employees if they need anything special such as a printer, second monitor, lighting, or desk. As the employer, you want your team to have access to proper equipment. Now isn't the time to be stingy about ordering someone a comfortable chair or upgraded laptop to be used for remote purposes or presenting key personnel with stipends to buy home office essentials."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"4-encourage-everyone-to-develop-a-dedicated-workspace"},"children":["4. Encourage everyone to develop a dedicated workspace"]},{"component":"p","children":["The ambiance of a person's working space impacts the quality of their work. Someone who regularly moves from the couch to the bed to the patio may be unable to remain focused on tasks. Carving out a dedicated work area can be tough, particularly for someone who lives with several family members or whose home offers limited unused space. Still, it's important to have a quiet place that's dedicated to working."]},{"component":"p","children":["Help your employees actively find a place they can call their own by getting to know your performers' working styles and asking whether they feel they're able to do their best now. If you notice that a direct report's performance seems unnaturally low, find out if the workspace could be part of the problem."]},{"component":"p","children":["If workers aren't confident because of inadequate surroundings, do what you can in terms of recommendations. At the same time, be aware that some residential layouts aren't exactly conducive to ideal setups. Urge everyone to get innovative, even if that means turning a walk-in closet or well-lit basement corner into a cozy work area."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"5-discover,-test-and-implement-new-technologies-together"},"children":["5. Discover, test and implement new technologies together"]},{"component":"p","children":["When your team worked in an office setting, you probably only scratched the surface of the technologies you used (e.g., Microsoft Excel or Google Docs). Most people utilize software in limited capacities. Now is the perfect time to explore ways to make life simpler by digging deeper into the platforms you regularly use."]},{"component":"p","children":["Begin this process by Googling the \"tips and tricks\" of all the technology you currently rely upon — from Slack to Salesforce — and encourage employees to follow suit. That way, you can divide and conquer, uncovering ways to become more efficient with familiar tools. Next, ask some team members to explore other technologies. You may even want to invest in free or low-cost trials when possible."]},{"component":"p","children":["Does your team host regular online meetings? Take a test run with a competitor of the virtual meeting interface you traditionally use, such as trying GoToMeeting instead of Skype. Compare the advantages and downsides of each platform. Who knows? You may find some great technology out there that you wouldn’t have uncovered without the quarantine."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"6-take-time-for-check-ins-and-chats"},"children":["6. Take time for check-ins and chats"]},{"component":"p","children":["Employees don't run into colleagues throughout the day when they're at home. That means they can't let off steam at the watercooler, which can cause a buildup of anxiety and frustration. Is it any wonder, then, that burnout and remote work tend to go hand in hand? As ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.gallup.com/workplace/235811/end-traditional-manager.aspx","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["Gallup research noted"]},", isolation under normal circumstances — and these are hardly normal times — can cause effectiveness to drop 21%. Who knows what the percentage is amid a pandemic shut-in?"]},{"component":"p","children":["One way to combat confinement-related stress is via one-to-one check-ins that have nothing to do with assignments, clients, or operations. No time to meet with everyone in your company? No problem: Make time for your direct reports."]},{"component":"p","children":["Additionally, encourage chitchat by setting up casual Slack channels or allowing time before videoconferencing sessions to encourage idle conversation. You might even want to start \"office tour\" video sessions where people can show off their virtual stations for co-workers to see. Employees won't necessarily reach out on their own, so give them the green light to stay in touch. Be certain to include yourself in the banter, too. And if your furry friend photo-bombs your Microsoft Teams call, all the better. Life happens."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"7-reward-employees"},"children":["7. Reward employees"]},{"component":"p","children":["You're over-communicating and staying in touch with everyone. That's a good start, but you’ll want to go the extra mile with occasional surprises. I recently sent my team members coffee mugs as a throwback to our company culture. I miss mingling with people at the coffee station."]},{"component":"p","children":["Whether you send e-gift cards to people who have gone above and beyond, or you have boxes of healthy snacks delivered to everyone's doors, you'll buoy your staffers' spirits. A million Slack “I appreciate you” messages won't have the same uplifting effects as receiving a little surprise in the mail — or even a little bonus in the paycheck."]},{"component":"p","children":["The goal is for your culture to retain a sense of uniqueness and strength throughout the ups and downs of sheltering in place. Brainstorm with fellow executives around ways to say thanks, then deploy your ideas."]},{"component":"p","children":["The past few months have thrown many companies for a loop. Instead of taking a \"let’s wait this out\" approach to heading up a remote team, use the time wisely to build morale, engagement, and innovative thinking. Leaders who view COVID-19 as a chance to learn and differentiate will set up their workforces for present and future success."]}]},"resource":null,"sponsorship":{"sponsorType":"no-sponsor","name":null,"thumbnail":null,"bio":null,"slug":null,"status":null,"social":{"website":null,"linkedin":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5ed/3b7169c658abe0e8b4576/1500-0-","caption":"Scyther5/Getty Images","isBlurred":false},"bestPicks":null},"related":{"relatedArticles":[{"title":"From COVID-19 to Hurricane Season: Disaster Preparedness for Small Business","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/business-disaster-prep/","slug":"business-disaster-prep","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e7/a495e5a215eb11d8b4569/1500-0-","dek":"Natural disasters – whether a hurricane, tornado or outbreak like COVID-19 – can have a disastrous effect on small businesses, but they don't have to. Here's how to weather a disaster successfully.","lastModified":"2020-03-25T15:19:00Z","published":"2018-09-26T07:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How to Successfully Manage Remote Work Amid COVID-19","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/remote-work-management/","slug":"remote-work-management","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ea/e405b5a215e2e338b4568/1500-0-","dek":"Making sure you are getting the most out of your remote employees is critical during the current environment.","lastModified":"2020-05-03T07:00:00Z","published":"2020-05-03T07:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"4 Tips to Ensure Remote Workforce Productivity","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/remote-workforce-productivity/","slug":"remote-workforce-productivity","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5f2/975ac9c658ab24a8b4567/1500-0-","dek":"Many business owners have faced uncertainties and challenges around remote workforce management, engagement, and productivity. How do you captivate a remote workforce?","lastModified":"2020-08-04T18:38:00Z","published":"2020-08-04T18:38:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How to Support Furloughed Employees (and Bring Them Back to Work Properly)","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/how-to-support-furloughed-employees/","slug":"how-to-support-furloughed-employees","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ea/c27229c658a4e458b4574/1500-0-","dek":"The pandemic and its economic impacts have led many companies to furlough employees. Here's what you can do to support your furloughed employees and bring them back to work the right way.","lastModified":"2020-05-01T14:42:00Z","published":"2020-05-01T14:42:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How Your HR Team Can Support Your Remote Workers","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/hr-support-remote-work/","slug":"hr-support-remote-work","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ed/bcc5e7b437440498b4577/1500-0-","dek":"The shift to remote work means that HR must rise to the occasion to support both the business and employees. In the post, you'll learn the ways HR leaders can offer support to teams as they adjust to a new way of working.","lastModified":"2020-06-08T14:00:00Z","published":"2020-06-08T14:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Ensuring Emotional Safety and Security for Your Remote Workers","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/emotional-safety-security-for-remote-workers/","slug":"emotional-safety-security-for-remote-workers","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5eb/ed4e95a215ef9058b4570/1500-0-","dek":"Is your small business able to pick up on employees' signs of stress during COVID-19 that could be impacting their well-being and work?","lastModified":"2020-05-15T19:54:00Z","published":"2020-05-15T19:54:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Treat COVID-19 Remote Work as a Test Run","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/remote-work-tryout-covid-19/","slug":"remote-work-tryout-covid-19","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ec/5454e7b43746a198b4575/1500-0-","dek":"Remote work is becoming more popular with companies and employees. Treat the remote work trend during COVID-19 as a test run for what the future might hold.","lastModified":"2020-05-20T17:56:00Z","published":"2020-05-20T17:56:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"5 Ways Your Business Can Boost Its Productivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/ways-business-can-boost-productivity/","slug":"ways-business-can-boost-productivity","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ea/88f0b9c658ac6798b4582/1500-0-","dek":"The COVID-19 pandemic has proven problematic for businesses worldwide. While many economic factors are beyond the control of entrepreneurs, productivity needn't be something that declines, too.","lastModified":"2020-04-28T21:11:00Z","published":"2020-04-28T21:11:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How To Retain Employees During COVID-19","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/retain-employees-during-covid-19/","slug":"retain-employees-during-covid-19","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ed/e96af7b4374c53f8b4581/1500-0-","dek":"Many employees find it difficult to cope with the challenges presented by working from home. 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