In response to the pandemic, those who didn’t need to be in the place of work had to work remotely; during this period, many organisations saw a benefit in increased productivity, and many employees enjoyed the flexibility of working remotely. In addition to this, many businesses saw the benefit of a wider pool of talent as location barriers were diminished.

As the world recovered from the pandemic and life returned to normality, many organisations kept a hybrid way of working, whereas others have requested that employees return to their place of work. This blog explores the benefits of building a remote worker culture.

What is a remote work culture?

A remote work culture is shared values, beliefs, behaviours and practices that define how employees interact, collaborate and maintain a sense of community whilst working remotely. It is important to create an environment where remote employees feel connected, valued and empowered despite not being present within a traditional workspace.

The key elements of making this work are not dissimilar to a traditional way of working, but it is important to ensure that there is an intentional shift in how employees communicate, collaborate and maintain a sense of community.

Companies with a remote work culture can have a competitive advantage by employing talent from further afield and filling roles where talent is dispersed geographically.

How can I build a strong remote work culture?

The first important step is integrating remote work into every aspect of the organisation, which includes communication, collaboration, values and employee development. Building a culture that values flexibility, inclusivity and trust will help support remote workers and attract top talent from around the world, which promotes long-term business resilience.

How can I improve remote work culture?

If an organisation already has a remote work culture, using feedback from remote workers and refining ways of working will help improve the remote work culture.  Having a strong and open culture encourages feedback and conversations to aid improvement in all aspects of work, using different way for employees to share feedback, ideas and concerns will empower employees in continuous improvements.

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The key areas to focus on when developing or refining a remote work culture are: –

  1. Develop and define remote work policies

    1. Establish guidelines: set clear expectations for working hours, communication and response times, ensure you consider different time zones.
    2. Emphasise flexibility: Highlight the flexibility that remote work offers but also set boundaries to avoid burnout. Encourage employees to switch off and disconnect from work at the end of the day. Some countries “have the right to switch off” this is a useful concept for both those where it is legislated and those areas that it is not.
    3. Accessible policies and documents – develop and maintain a centralised area for documents like SharePoint or company intranet, ensuring remote workers know and have access to the documents and policies they need.

  2. Make communication and collaboration a priority

    1. Over communicate: Having a clear and regular communication plan will help remote employees thrive and feel included. Use technology to communicate (Slack, Microsoft Teams and Zoom video calls) to build a strong remote culture and keep employees engaged.
    2. Regular check-ins: Arrange daily or weekly check-ins for teams to stay aligned. Foster a culture where asking for help or clarification is welcome.

  3. Invest in the right tools and technology

    1. Technology: Ensuring that remote workers have access to reliable tools for communication, project management and file sharing. Equip employees with quality hardware and software to support their remote work.
    2. Security: Implement robust security measures including VPNs, encrypted communications and regular cybersecurity training.

  4. Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity

    1. Team building activities: Arrange regular virtual social events; this can be online gaming, coffee or lunch breaks, team building exercises, or happy hour. This can help the remote workforce feel less isolated.
    2. Inclusive policies: Ensure that everyone has equal access to career development, training opportunities, promotions and company benefits. Ensure that these align with the culture of the country they work in.
    3. Cultural touchpoints: Incorporate remote-friendly versions of the company rituals and traditions; these could include virtual town halls or team briefings and newsletters.

  5. A focus on outcomes, not hours

    1. Outcome focus: Shift the focus from hours worked to goals achieved. This empowers remote employees to manage their own time and demonstrates trust in their ability to deliver.
    2. Performance metrics: Ensure that everyone has performance metrics that evaluate outcomes and contributions rather than the amount of time spent online.

  6. Promote health and well being

    1. Encourage breaks: Remind all employees to take regular breaks and respect personal time; this helps to promote a healthy work-life balance.
    2. Wellbeing resources: Provide resources such as virtual fitness classes if you can, mental health support and access to online wellness programs

  7. Feedback and continuous improvement

    1. Feedback channels: Create opportunities for remote workers to provide feedback on their experience and challenges and make suggestions for improvement.
    2. Review and update policies: Regularly review remote work policies based on feedback and industry best practices to keep them relevant and effective.

By developing and focusing on the above points will bring many benefits to an organisation; these include: –

  1. Higher employee engagement and productivity

    1. Increased job satisfaction: a positive remote work culture fosters trust, autonomy and a sense of belonging, which leads to higher job satisfaction. When employees feel valued and empowered, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work.
    2. Focus on outcomes: remote work culture has an emphasis on outcomes rather than hours worked. This approach allows employees to work when they are most productive, which in turn leads to better performance and output.
    3. Reduced burnout: a supportive remote culture prioritises work-life balance, flexibility and mental health, which reduces the risk of burnout

  2. Enhanced flexibility and work-life balance

    1. Flexible hours: a strong remote culture often includes flexible working hours, which allows employees to manage their personal responsibilities. This flexibility leads to a healthier work-life balance, reducing stress and improving overall quality of life.
    2. Accommodation of diverse needs: Remote work allows employees with various lifestyles, family situations, or physical abilities to tailor their work environment to their needs, leading to increased job satisfaction and inclusivity.

  3. Access to a global talent pool

    1. Wider talent pool: A solid remote work culture enables organisations to attract talent from anywhere in the world. Having access to this talent pool enables organisations to be more competitive, enhancing the diversity and skill set within it.
    2. A more diverse workforce: By hiring globally. Organisations can build more diverse teams, which can drive creativity, innovation and better decision-making due to a wider range of perspectives and experiences.

  4. Cost savings for the organisation

    1. Reduced overhead costs: With a positive remote work culture, organisations can save on expenses related to office space, utilities, supplies and on-site incidentals. These savings can be redirected to employee benefits, professional development or technology investments.
    2. Lower commuting costs for employees: Remote employees will save time and costs on commuting; this leads to an improved quality of life. Financial and time-saving aspects contribute to job satisfaction and loyalty.

  5. Improved employee retention and attraction

    1. Higher retention rates: Having a good remote work culture that is flexible and inclusive can significantly reduce staff turnover. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that meets their work-life needs and offers a positive work environment.
    2. Attract top talent: Remote working is one of the most sought-after benefits high caliber candidates are looking for. Having a strong remote work culture will help in attracting the best talent in the marketplace.

  6. Resilience and adaptability

    1. Business continuity: Businesses with a strong remote culture are more adaptable and resilient in times of disruption, such as natural disasters, pandemics or other unforeseen events. The ability to continue operations seamlessly in remote environments reduces business risk.
    2. Agility: a remote-first culture allows companies to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, scaling teams up or down as required without the constraints of a physical office.

  7. Clearer focus on results

    1. Outcome-focused performance: A strong remote culture shifts the focus from hours logged to results achieved. This approach encourages employees to work efficiently and productively with an emphasis on quality output rather than presence.
    2. Accountability and ownership: When employees manage their own schedules and workloads remotely, they develop a greater sense of ownership and accountability for their projects, which leads to higher-quality work.

  8. Strengthened company loyalty and morale

    1. Increased trust: A remote work culture built on trust and autonomy fosters a positive employer-employee relationship. When employees feel trusted to manage their own work, loyalty and morale are built.
    2. Positive company reputation: Organisations known for a strong, supportive remote culture gain a positive reputation in the marketplace, attracting like-minded talent and enhancing the company employer brand.

  9. Environmental benefits

    1. Promotion of sustainability: With fewer employees commuting to a central office or location, remote work contributes to a lower carbon footprint. The remote work culture also encourages digital communication, paperless workflow and reduced energy consumption and supports the wider social responsibilities of all organisations.

In summary, a strong work culture benefits both employers and businesses by promoting engagement, flexibility, inclusivity and well-being while improving productivity and operational efficiency. It makes employers more attractive to top talent and more resilient when faced with challenges and disruptions. By focusing on developing and maintaining a positive remote work culture, companies can create a dynamic, resilient and successful workplace.

Are you looking to build a strong remote work culture? Discover how MAD-HR’s tailored HR Consultancy services can help you create a flexible, connected, and productive team environment.