Retain Remote Workers with these Benefits
Remote work is here to stay. The career site Ladders (https://www.theladders.com/jobs/remote-work-from-home-jobs) projects that 25 percent of professional jobs in North America will be remote by the end of this year and will continue to grow in 2023. According to the study, high-paying jobs are rapidly changing to remote work, from 9 percent in 2020 to 18 percent by the end of 2021. There were 156,000 high-paying jobs being offered remotely at that time.
Companies have to think outside the box when it comes to employee benefits designed to fit the needs of remote workers. It will keep them motivated and help them to feel less isolated from the rest of the company.
HR Reporter recommends 11 benefits to offer remote workers. They are designed to help workers feel that they are a vital part of the company. (https://www.hrreporter.com/news/hr-news/11-best-employee-benefits-to-offer-remote-workers/365351)
Remote workers are looking for health and wellness programs that fit their lifestyle. Companies can offer virtual gym memberships or vouchers for a fitness center with local branches that are accessible to remote workers. Employers can provide discounts for healthy food delivery subscriptions and online employee assistance programs (EAPs) to keep employees physically and mentally fit.
Remote workers want help with their professional development. Employers can help employees and the companies by offering opportunities for employees to develop, such as training seminars, workshops, mentorship, tuition reimbursement and new job openings.
Make sure remote workers get recognition and appreciation. Employers can give employee shoutouts during meetings, town halls, email blasts and even during quick standup meetings. They can also offer small tokens of appreciation such as gift vouchers, small gift baskets and monetary gifts.
Motivate employees with team building events. Communication and relationship building engage remote workers. To integrate these workers into the corporate culture, companies can hold virtual meetings for employees to get to know each other and form connections through fun team-building activities that are similar to the kinds of events held for onsite employees.
Because remote workers rely heavily on technology and the tools they use to work and communicate with the team, make sure they have adequate WiFi, software and apps. Give them easy access to these tools and create dedicated channels to help the employees to work faster and more efficiently.
Allow remote employees to have a home office improvement allowance. Provide basic computer equipment with updated specs to do the job properly. Companies can also go beyond the essential equipment needed and offer an allowance for employees to purchase additional home office furniture and equipment that may help them feel more comfortable with their working spaces.
Companies can give employees service or volunteer hours. This gives them the flexibility to create a work-life balance lifestyle with the company.
Remote workers need paid time off as much as other employees. One of the main challenges of remote work is to separate work from personal life.
Supporting employee mental health is vital. Helping employees take care of their mental health strengthens both performance and trust. Consider providing subscriptions to meditation and remote therapy apps.
Reward remote workers with goodies for holidays and special occasions to make them feel part of the workforce. T-shirts, notepads, and other small useful merchandise can be part of the package.
Offering flexible time schedules will enable employees to produce the best output they can at their best work schedule.
Find out which of these (and other) benefits your employees value the most by regularly surveying them.