With the shift towards remote work, many employees are finding themselves adapting to a new way of conducting business from the comfort of their homes. While remote work offers flexibility and convenience, it also comes with its unique set of challenges, especially for those who are new to this arrangement.
Below, 20 Forbes Human Resources Council members share tips and best practices to help new employees successfully transition and excel in the remote work environment. From setting up an ergonomic home office to fostering effective virtual collaboration with colleagues, these expert tips aim to empower newcomers to work from home with the necessary skills to make the most out of their remote work experience.
1. Work On Self-Management
Employees who are new to remote work should work on their personal efficiency (self-management) as autonomy reaches a whole new level. Furthermore, you and your leader should align expectations more frequently to create trust, comfort and role clarity. We recommend weekly task check-ins to all our clients, and we’ve also seen that work fantastically in remote settings. – Christian Møller, Zoios
2. Catch Up With Someone Different Each Week
Place emphasis on having a daily or weekly catch-up with someone different from your team each time. This catch-up shouldn’t be work or project related. It should be informal and used as a time to have those coffee break discussions you would usually have in the cafeteria. Creating relationships and an understanding of one another is a key factor in high-performing teams with strong communication. – Sarah Skillin, Delta Capita
3. Be Transparent
Be super transparent. We hold two all-hands meetings a week where we share the company’s weekly priorities, wins and challenges. These take a total of 45 minutes a week but help to build connections and familiarity. I think it’s beneficial for our entire team, especially those new to remote work who are nervous about feeling disconnected. – Joshua Siler, HiringThing
4. Stay Focused And Always Be Dressed For Work
Duffy Group has been fully remote since 1991. A few of the key tips we share with our team include: Setting up a quiet space with no distractions. Stick with a schedule, and don’t let the laundry basket distract you. Get dressed for the day even if you don’t have any on-camera meetings. Don’t forget that your co-workers are remote too, so set up a time for lunch or a quick call to check in on them. – Kathleen Duffy, Duffy Group, Inc.
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5. Communicate Through Multiple Channels
When in doubt, overcommunication via a multi-channel approach is always better than one method or one mention when it comes to remote work environments. Taking the initiative to ask questions, share regular work updates and follow up with colleagues can help you avoid confusion, find purpose in your work and set a good example for those above and below you. – Laurie Chamberlin, LHH
6. Get To Know Your Colleagues
It sounds obvious but encourage employees to get to know their new colleagues with informal video calls. Building connections and relationships remotely can be hard for those who have never done it before, but informal catch-ups can help people to get to know each other on a personal level. Replacing the water-cooler catch-ups with virtual ones can really help with relationship building. – Kim Pope, WilsonHCG
7. Learn, Listen And Wait To Speak
Remote or not, the greatest tip for me was from one of our great philosophers, Franz Kafka: “You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked; it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.” Essentially, learn and listen. Wait to speak. – Richard Polak, American Benefits Council
8. Choose Three Things To Learn About
Choose three key things you need to learn about to be successful in your job. Then, for each person you meet during onboarding, ask who in the organization is their go-to person for those things. Quickly, you’ll see names repeated. Take the initiative to reach out to them and introduce yourself to make new connections you may not have learned about until much later. – Bjorn Reynolds, Safeguard Global
9. Utilize Tools To Stay On Track
Remote work has its challenges, including but not limited to communication, goal alignment and in-person interactions every human needs. It’s increasingly important for leaders and managers to create an environment with clear lines of communication, tools for employees to stay on track and ways to continually support and cheer each other on. – Jamie Aitken, Betterworks
10. Focus On The Task At Hand
Plan your work and work your plan. This of course applies to both the in-office and remote work experience. It’s important to remember to focus on the task at hand regardless of the work location. That helps you build trust with your team and leadership and allows you the flexibility to work both in-person and remotely as applicable based on your company’s work location structure. – Omar Alhadi, Adobe Care and Wellness
11. Understand Expectations And Boundaries Of The Work Day
The best thing a manager can do in either a hybrid or remote setting is to clearly define expectations and boundaries as it relates to the work day and specific work requirements. Every organization is different—whether someone has worked remotely before or not—so this type of transparency can be priceless. – William Stonehouse, Crawford Thomas Recruiting
12. Find A Sense Of Belonging With The Company
Start by creating a sense of belonging. Employees who feel they belong are less likely to quit, report better well-being and increased job satisfaction. You can create belonging with collaborative projects, online social exchanges and participation in virtual well-being activities. For example, virtual fitness or cooking classes feed multiple aspects of whole-person well-being and foster belonging. – Michael Held, LifeSpeak Inc.
13. Be Clear, Concise And Proactive In Your Communication
Remote work often relies heavily on virtual communication tools, so it’s crucial to be clear, concise and proactive in your communication with colleagues and managers. Regularly checking in, actively participating in virtual meetings and using collaboration platforms can help foster strong connections and ensure everyone is on the same page, despite the physical distance. – Srikanth Karra, Mphasis
14. Take Breaks To Recharge
Recharge to stay focused. Take breaks, even if they’re short. Get up from your workspace, stretch your legs, eat lunch, refill your coffee and give your eyes a break from the screen. Doing so regularly can help reframe your perspective and refocus your mind, ultimately leading to increased engagement and productivity and preventing you from feeling burnt out at home. – Jennifer Rozon, McLean & Company
15. Set Personal Boundaries For Your Time
Set personal boundaries for your time. It is easy to work all day or the other extreme and complete personal activities—remote work is a delicate balance. It is essential to set work hours, not only to get tactical work done but calls and lunch. It is very easy to minimize your work-life balance with remote work, especially for Type A personalities. Mindfulness and planning will cure any issues. – Nakisha Dixon, Vercara
16. Establish A Normal Work Routine
It is imperative to establish a normal “work routine” and schedule for yourself that not only aligns with the core hours of the company but also establishes boundaries as you integrate work and home life. The last thing an employer wants is for an employee to burn out because they can not disconnect. – Halai Shukran, Pluribus Digital
17. Consider Regularly Scheduled Co-Working Spaces
Remote working arrangements have been shown to aid productivity, yet remote employees can suffer from feelings of loneliness and no sense of community or belonging. To mitigate, consider regularly scheduled co-working spaces where remote employees can join co-workers online to socialize, connect for the purpose of connecting and build close social relationships—requisites to holistic well-being. – Laci Loew, XpertHR (a division of LexisNexis Risk Solutions)
18. Be Visible
Visibility is not limited to a handshake in person. Visibility can be through check-ins, follow-ups and being proactive in initiating communication. Make your presence felt. Strong communication helps build relationships and a better mutual understanding in team-based settings. Remote work can be interactive, fun and engaging and avoid “ out of sight, out of mind” challenges. – Vineet Gambhir
19. Take Advantage Of Training
We have all new hires take courses in security, compliance or ethics, anti-harassment, diversity and remote working. We also offer additional courses in teamwork, conflict management, problem-solving, etc. We also offer training throughout the year in different formats that focus on the same topics. Ensure your policies align with the training, so the message is clear. – Erin ImHof, CertiK
20. Set Up A Dedicated Workspace
One tip to help employees who are new to the remote work environment is to establish a dedicated workspace. Creating a designated area in your home that is solely dedicated to work can help establish boundaries and improve focus. Make it comfortable and organized with all the necessary tools and equipment nearby. – Domonique Revere, Ph.D., Adjaye Associates
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