The current COVID-19 crisis has changed the way we do business. Though the workplace has changed, what keeps employees productive and motivated has not changed. As employees struggle to adapt to the challenges that come with working from home, employers need to be proactively engaged in boosting morale among employees in the business. 

Here are ten simple strategies you can use to increase engagement among employees during the ongoing crisis:

1. Be transparent in your communication

This is not the time to pretend that you know all the answers. Share information from health officials and government agencies with your employees to help them cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

2. Don’t stop training

Employee training and education should continue, even during the COVID-19 crisis. New strategies may have to be adopted to address the changing realities. Think of implementing technological solutions that will allow your employees to continue training and learning. For example, use online training software or hold interactive online training webinars to ensure employees are up to par with your business’ best practices.

3. Enable teamwork and collaboration

During a crisis, collaboration at the workplace is more important than ever. Use the tools you have to get the team working together to solve problems. If you were already using communication and collaboration tools such as Slack and Skype, you already have a head start. Employees who are not familiar with collaboration tools should be guided and helped to get started to continue playing their roles in building the business.

4. Recognize and reward hard work

In times of crisis, employees can come up with extraordinary ideas or inputs that can drive the business forward. Recognize these ideas or good deeds, and praise them for what they have done. If possible, reward employees who have proved to be outstanding to the business during the crisis. 

5. Have the right tools in place

You can struggle to improve employee engagement when your team is working virtually. To improve engagement, give them all the tools they need to be successful. Here are some basic tools you may need:

• An internal chat platform such as Facebook Workplace
• A video conferencing tool such as Zoom
• A cloud-based project management tool such as Trello

Quickly onboard employees that don’t know how to use these tools so that they can get back to growing the business.

Related Article: 7 Tips to Run Virtual Meetings More Efficiently

6. Make room for continuous feedback

Constructive feedback goes a long way in boosting employee engagement. Providing feedback is especially important during these challenging times. Therefore, make it a habit of providing valuable feedback. This can be done through one-on-one virtual meetings or through facilitating open conversations.

7. Focus on everyday experiences

Majority of employees struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance during the best of times. During these challenging times, take steps to reduce your employees’ stress levels. This will help to boost their engagement levels. Encourage employees to speak up during virtual meetings. Also, let them ask questions through private chat or anonymously so that you can address every issue they may be going through.

You May Like to Read: Tips for Working Remotely from Home

8. Allow more breaks

The work-from-home atmosphere may not be uniform for all employees. For example, employees with kids may struggle to juggle both work and household chores. Make it mandatory for employees to take regular breaks to rejuvenate their minds. Let them know it’s okay to take a break to deal with their toddler or take the dog for a walk.

Also, allow employees to clock in outside normal work hours to reduce their workload. Employees that take physical breaks when working remotely are likely to be more productive.

9. Host online team building activities

Team building is critical to boosting employee engagement at the workplace. You can hold virtual team building activities to help employees bond together. For example, you can have a health challenge every week, where employees get to do various exercises to boost their mental health. To spice up things, make it some sort of competition, with potential perks or rewards.

10. Let employees know that their work is meaningful

Let employees know that the work they do is vital to the business. Recognize their talents and inputs and share great outcomes from their work. The COVID-19 crisis is stressing everyone. You can shine a beacon of hope to employees by highlighting their achievements and recognizing how important they are to your operations.

During crises, businesses need to be creative and strategic with their operations to hit their goals. This may mean adopting new technologies, changing work routines, or experimenting with different productivity tools. Follow the strategies above to encourage employee productivity when working from home during the COVID-19 crisis.

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