Working from home (WFH) every day might appeal to some, but it can be a very real challenge for other employees. Some employees might have to deal with children at home or a roommate or spouse who is also trying to work at home so it’s easy to say that working at home can be stressful. However, you can take several actions to help keep employees motivated while they are working from home. Booking a virtual motivational speaker or having a support system in place are just two of the many ways to help encourage your employees who are working from home, and when employees feel motivated, their productivity will increase.
- Use a virtual motivational speaker.
Using a virtual motivational speaker is a great way to motivate employees who are working from home. You can encourage your employees by choosing a topic that will help them both personally and professionally. Topics like self-growth, letting go of fear and the unknown, and being the best version of yourself are all great topics that will work to encourage employees who are working from home.
- Plan fun events.
Whether it’s a happy hour or a trivia contest, employees need a chance to unwind, and this will help them lower their stress levels. Since employees haven’t been able to hang out with their colleagues in a few months, giving them a designated time to chit chat and catch up is a great way to keep everyone motivated while WFH. To make the events relevant, you could do a round of trivia focused on the company’s history or relevant industry-related news.
- Send employees a treat.
It doesn’t have to be an expensive item, but using a delivery service to send your employees a cookie or coffee would be a great way to show them that you care and help keep them motivated. A large part of having motivated employees is valuing your employees because if employees feel appreciated, they will be more loyal to the company and work harder to help achieve the company’s goals. Sending a small treat is a smart way to show that you appreciate their WFH efforts.
- Ensure employees have the right equipment and resources.
For WFH employees, one source of frustration is not having the proper equipment and resources available for them to properly do their jobs. You should allow employees the opportunity to take home any needed equipment so they work as efficiently as possible. Some companies encouraged their employees to create dedicated workspaces within their homes by giving them money to help offset any expenses that have occurred.
- Relax the dress code.
If employees feel more comfortable while they are working from home, they will be more motivated to do their best work. Of course, allowing employees to work in their pajamas would lower motivation rates, but having less formal attire during WFH would help raise motivation rates. If your office traditionally wears suits, you can encourage a “business casual” dress code which will be easier on everyone.
- Have a support system in place.
Having a support system in place is a must when employees are WFH. Management needs to personally check in with their direct employees at least once a week to help keep motivation levels up. Employees need to feel supported during this time, and hearing supportive and encouraging information from their bosses is a surefire way to motivate WFH employees.
During the pandemic, many employees worked from home for the first time, and while employees enjoyed simple perks like saving gas money and no commute times, management teams noticed it was hard for employees to stay motivated. Keeping your employees motivated involves having a support system in place where employees feel comfortable opening up and ensuring employees have the proper equipment at home. When employees are motivated and encouraged, their productivity levels will soar which is a win-win for everyone involved.
