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The New World of Work
Hi Everyone,
I've been thinking a lot lately about how the post pandemic work environment will look like. One of the challenges of people working remotely is keeping them engaged!
As a HR professional how are you keeping your employees engaged during this time?
Hi Aisha!
I will share with you some of the key activities we were doing and monitoring in the last startup I was working for.
Creating an official "document" to share with all employees and managers the tools, channels, the main agrees you may have (flexible hours for example?), and letting clear the new rules of the digital world. For example, being "online" does not mean being available all the time. It sounds obvious, but, clear communication is the best way to make sure goals can be performed.
Also, letting clear how employees can get in touch with the support areas and the topics those areas handle. For example, sometimes, payroll is under HR (HR Operations). But for some organizations this can be a finance responsability. Give them the channels to be in contact with these areas is really important as well: emails, portals, global tools....
Another suggestion I would say, having a good session with People Managers and Coordinator. If in your organization it is already implemented the 1:1 culture, feedback.. reinforce the importance of these behaviors, and how is also important managers and employees taking notes of all main aligments they have. Both need also agree with everything they decide to not have any missunderstanding in the end of the year.
The last sugestion I would say, in the last week of the month having a session with all employees and all leadears. In big organizations, it could be only between the business department. For example, instead of the President to lead the session, it would be the VP. Also, all areas (Marketing, HR, Finance, Sales, Commercial, Product) to have a quick time to present their numbers and achievebles of the last month. Maybe presenting the new hires, internal movments (such as promotions and internal assigments - if your company understand this makes sense).
I hope these suggestions can support you.
I love the idea of the water cooler space to talk about almost anything. It's come up at our company that employees feel bad emailing or calling about personal things that people used to catch up about with their cube neighbors or in the hall... so we've encouraged the use of instant messaging to drop a "hi, how is your kid doing in karate" or "did you ever get your walls painted this summer" or whatever. Personal connections are very important to people - making it okay to have those at a distance on company tools is helpful!
Thank you for the great ideas!
A few ideas for you I have been recommending that work well are as follows: virtual bingo and trivia games. Weekly team spotlights - a chance for a member of the team to share what's happening with them, their family, etc. Hosting a Coffee Chat - with a $5 GC to Starbucks - supporting the economy and a chat. Virtual happy hour each week with a question of the day. Have someone come speak to the group about a relevant topic. I have spoken to groups personally and brought in other speakers like Nataly Kogan and Kat Cole. Anything to get them on the line, keep the conversation move and provide them with continuous learning and development. Happy to jump on a call if you want to discuss any of these further.
Hello, My company uses Microsoft Teams for collaboration, and we created a team space to replicate the water cooler experience. We curate content to post there, but it is also a place for employees to share with one another. We get lots of pictures of what's happening at home, which is great.