Recognition for Remote Employees

For most people, the company we work for, is more than just a job – it provides us a community/a social group that we are a part of. Imagine employees who work out of remote offices (in a number of cases, out of their homes). These remote employees do not have a network during most of their active work hours. For most people who have always worked in an environment with colleagues/other employees, it will probably be impossible to imagine how being a remote employee feels like. To provide some context, one of the worst forms of punishment in prisons is “Solitary Confinement”.

This means that the management, HR and co-workers need to make the extra effort to make these remote employees feel connected to the mother-ship. Recognition can play a big role in helping build this connect. For remote employees, a simple call from someone in the corporate office wishing them on their birthday or even wishing them “Happy New Year” is a huge deal and is a basic form of recognition. Non monetary recognition such as e-cards can also be used very effectively with remote employees. I would urge you to pick up the phone or send a message to a remote worker you know - a "Happy New Year" wish is a great opportunity for you to make that call. Trust me - having been a remote worker for a significant part of my career, it will be a big deal for the recipient.