As more companies embrace remote work, it’s important to make sure remote employees feel connected. Remote work can be isolating, and employees may feel disconnected from their colleagues and the company. This can lead to lower morale and, ultimately, a decrease in productivity. Fortunately, there are strategies managers can use to improve the connection between remote employees and the company. Here are five strategies to make remote employees feel connected.

1. Leverage Technology

Technology can be used to bridge the gap between remote employees and the rest of the team. Video conferencing software, such as Zoom and Skype, can be used to host virtual meetings. Team members can also use a chat platform, such as Slack, to stay in touch and share updates. These tools can make remote employees feel like they are a part of the team and included in conversations.

2. Offer Perks

Employers can offer perks to make remote employees feel appreciated and connected. This could include offering discounts on products or services, providing swag, such as t-shirts or mugs, or hosting virtual social events. These perks can make remote employees feel valued and part of the team.

3. Celebrate Milestones

It’s important to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of remote employees. This could include celebrating individual milestones, such as birthdays or work anniversaries, as well as team milestones, such as project completion or new customer wins. This can make remote employees feel appreciated and connected to the team.

4. Provide Resources

Managers should provide resources to remote employees to help them stay connected and productive. This could include offering access to online training materials, providing a virtual library of resources, or offering one-on-one coaching or mentoring. This can help remote employees stay up to date with the latest developments in their field and increase their engagement with the team.

5. Encourage Communication

Managers should encourage remote employees to stay in communication with the team. This could include sending regular check-in emails or scheduling virtual team meetings. This can help remote employees stay connected and engaged with the team.

By leveraging technology, offering perks, celebrating milestones, providing resources, and encouraging communication, managers can help make remote employees feel connected. This can lead to higher morale, improved productivity, and better team collaboration.