HR Tips for Managing Remote Employees

Do you offer the option for your employees to work remotely?  

If you do, we have put together a couple lists as a resources for you to refer to.

• The 7 Traits of the Ideal Remote Employee
• 7 HR Tips for Managing the Remote Employee

The 7 Traits of the Ideal Remote Employee

1. Someone with a history of being a valued and productive remote employee – a known and trusted commodity is almost always your best bet.
2.  Someone who wants to be a remote employee – not everyone is cut out for, or even wants to be a remote employee, especially more social employees. Consider the individual’s wants and needs.
3. Someone with impeccable communication – in terms of frequency, quality and predictability. Communication is key with remote employees.
4. Someone with a history of dependability – an employee lacking in dependability will not likely develop that trait with less supervision.
5. Someone who has demonstrated initiative – remote employees frequently have to make decisions on their own. Look for signs of independence, leadership and foresight.
6. Someone with a track record of only requiring minimal supervision to perform – this does NOT mean that we provide minimal supervision; look for someone who maximizes the supervision they available.
7. Someone who can focus on results, not time – if we can’t be there to witness their performance, then we must refocus on productivity and this requires a different mind-set for some.

7 Tips for Managing the Remote Employee

1. Plan ahead, choose wisely – colossal mistake to implement a plan to have remote employees without the policy and procedure and vetting process in place first
2. Increase frequency and focus of communication – set up predictable and liberal times, dedicated to specific communications
3.  Build connections; develop genuine relationships – get to know your employee as a person, it goes a long way in building that trusting, working relationship
4. Utilize available technology – decide to what extent you want to track employees, what you can afford and what works for your industry
5. Shift focus on outcome – this may require shifting the mind-set and refocusing on that which can be measured
6. Give clear expectations – good advice for anyone, especially relevant for managing remote employees.
7. Create opportunities for team building – this requires thinking “outside the box” and may require use of electronics, but a valuable investment.

Managing employees at the workplace can be challenging, but managing the remote employee is a different animal all together. We hope you find these tips helpful!