The absence of physical proximity and face-to-face interactions presents unique challenges that demand adaptable leadership strategies. Leadership sets the tone by providing clear direction and aligning team goals with organizational objectives. Effective leaders establish transparent communication channels to articulate expectations, project priorities, and deliver timely feedback. By ensuring that team members are aware of their individual contributions to the bigger picture, leaders foster productivity and engagement.

So, what can employers do to continue supporting their teams more in this work environment in the long-term? And how can they combine technology, their processes and workplace culture to create a foundation for better employee health and wellness?

Improve access to collaboration

More than a fifth of global workers say that loneliness and isolation is the biggest negative factor of remote working. This isn’t so much an emotional problem as it is a structural one within an organisation.

We’ve all become more familiar with using video conferencing to communicate with teams and customers; now we need to figure out how these forms of communication fit within the wider collaboration picture.

For example, by improving access to collaboration tools – like cloud-based software such as Microsoft Teams and Google Drive – and combining them with better communication platforms like video calls and screen sharing, teams can pick and choose how they communicate and collaborate based on what works best for them.

Considering that 60% of employees have reported feeling lonely in the last year, it’s a problem that businesses need to focus on. In the future, these personal catch-ups will be adapted to meet the needs of individual employees. By giving employees more ways to connect with their teams, businesses can continue to improve overall staff wellbeing.

Set flexible working

About 70% of employees say that flexible working has helped them maintain a better work-life balance and improved their feeling of wellbeing. Remote working has ended the restrictions of traditional working hours and removed the stress of being available during set working hours. In the last year, employees have shown they can be productive and stay on top of their work, even if using time in the day to complete personal tasks. By being more flexible with work hours, and trusting employees, businesses can see the benefits of more productivity, while helping improve employee wellbeing.

Regular video check-ups

Employees who feel isolated are less likely to be productive and their wellbeing and mental health are more likely to suffer. While messaging platforms can be effective for teams to stay in touch, there is a need to maintain regular face-to-face contact with employees, whether it’s face-to-face, or over video. Employers need to put more focus on checking in with employees.

Considering that 60% of employees have reported feeling lonely in the last year, it’s a problem that businesses need to focus on. In the future, these personal catchups will be adapted to meet the needs of individual employees.

For some, it will simply be a matter of regular video catchups. For others, it will be businesses making use of meeting spaces and planning office-based working for specific, collaborative tasks, for example preparing new business reports or creating annual plans in departments.

Communicate effectively

One of the biggest causes of anxiety in times of uncertainty is a lack of communication. Just knowing what is going on around them can help make employees feel more in control.

For example, during the pandemic, employees needed to know quickly what government announcements or new restrictions would mean for them coming into work or remaining at home. This meant internal comms needed to be quickly prepared and sent out to keep people up-to-date and calm about what was happening with their jobs.

When it comes to communication while working remotely, employers have more communication options than ever before. The challenge is finding the right mix.

Whether it’s creating a central hub for employees to use to find answers to frequent questions, or stay updated on policies and procedures, or using video conferencing for company updates – employers have several options available to them.

Creating the infrastructure for long-term success

Whatever role remote working plays in the future workplace, creating the right infrastructure and connections is key. The benefits go far beyond just letting employees work from wherever they want.

Whether it’s using new mobile technology or creating smarter, more reliable networks and connections (using SD-WAN and cloud-based collaboration platforms), the foundations for long-term remote working will need to be set.

What’s certain is that in the future, businesses will invest more in technology that provides their employees with options over how they work, communicate, and manage their time. By putting the right tools in place, businesses will be in a much better position to succeed and react quickly and decisively to challenges in the future.

Ready to find out more? Discover how aligning your tools, processes and culture can empower your remote workforce with Vodacom Business.