In an era where every business owner seeks employees who take ownership of their business, motivation and constant engagement are no longer optional. With the rise of remote work and a significant decline in physical day-to-day interactions with your employees, the relationship between employers and their employees can get strained. With traditional perks such as paid lunches and game areas in the office being eliminated, thoughtful strategies for engaging remote workers can help bridge the gap between physical distance and meaningful collaboration between teams.
While gifts are readily available, finding gifts for remote workers that genuinely enhance your relationship with them and boost productivity to make them feel valued and appreciated is the challenge. After analyzing various strategies, we have identified the most effective approaches to remote team engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. We also share thoughtful gifts for remote workers that will help you implement your employee engagement strategy.
Why Do You Need Your Team Engaged
An employer who is keen on improving their work environment and culture to encourage employees and increase their dedication to their work understands the value of active employee engagement. Employee engagement for remote workers presents a bigger challenge due to limitations such as distance. Nevertheless, maintaining a strong relationship will benefit your business in various ways.
1. Improved productivity
Employees who are engaged are more motivated and focused, leading to higher productivity rates.
2. Improved employee loyalty
Your team will develop a sense of belonging if they are constantly involved in company activities and receive recognition for their work and contribution to the business.
3. Higher business profitability
A high productivity level, loyalty, and motivation translate to increased yield in profits, whether through direct sales, business expansion, customer satisfaction, or meeting targets.
4. Greater employee satisfaction
Employee satisfaction is significantly driven by the amount of collaboration, validation, and appreciation they receive. If there is meaningful employee engagement, satisfaction will increase.
5. Lower turnover rates
Engaging with your staff is not only about giving gifts. It also entails understanding the challenges they face while they work for you and addressing them to provide a conducive environment. Well-engaged employees are less likely to leave the company, thereby reducing high turnover rates caused by dissatisfaction.
6. Employee Advocacy
If your employees are well motivated, they become the brand ambassadors of your business. They naturally promote your business values, products, and services to new clients. They are not afraid to embrace your business as their own and win over new customers.
The Psychology Behind Effective Remote Employee Engagement
The most effective engagement strategies for remote workers and all employees generally are those that tap into fundamental human psychology and address the unique emotional challenges of dynamic work settings. Unlike onsite work setups, remote workers often feel disconnected from their professional identity and team relationships. Practical gifts that drive engagement for remote staff cover three crucial psychological needs that are frequently overlooked.
1. Connection and belonging
Remote employees often struggle to connect with colleagues and team members, frequently feeling isolated and lacking a sense of belonging. Curating gifts that reinforce their position within the organization while keeping them connected to fellow workers is crucial in addressing this. Gifts such as custom team mugs, company-themed work equipment, or shared experience packages that are given to all employees simultaneously can be beneficial. This kind of gift provides the subtle sense that they are part of a team even when working far away from one another.
2. Personal Recognition
The deepest psychological driver for any human being is the need to be seen, validated, and appreciated. In onsite arrangements, recognition is shown through public gifts, visible achievements, or casual interactions. Remote employees miss the little moments of applause for achievement, public praise, and recognition. Personalized gifts help your employees recognize that you not only value the work they do, but also the person who does it. Gifts that depict an individual’s work style, interests they mention in team meetings, or address challenges they have shared make them feel recognized as a person rather than a worker. For example, if a developer who mentioned struggling with wrist pain due to long work hours receives an ergonomic keyboard alongside a note, “We notice you, we listen to you, and we value you as an individual”, they will authentically feel recognized and appreciated.
3. Comfort and Productivity
This category addresses the psychological need for individuals to feel comfortable in their work environment. Remote workers often face challenges such as creating a home office, including issues with poor lighting, uncomfortable seating, and slow internet speeds. Thoughtful gifts that improve their work environment while promoting productivity keep them motivated. For example, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can help them manage distractions such as background noises, maintain focus, and create a professional work setup. Such gifts not only improve physical comfort but also reduce psychological stress associated with constantly trying to remain productive in an unoptimized environment.
Wondering why understanding the various psychological drivers is essential for remote worker engagement? Most importantly, they help understand why some gifts collect dust on the shelves while others resonate with employees, however small and insignificant they may seem. Expensive gifts may not be the answer; they might lead to guilt-tripping your workers into staying engaged and productive. Thoughtful gifts, on the other hand, recognize, provide comfort, and build a connection between you and your employees.
Gifts For Remote Workers That Actually Work
a. Home Office Essentials
The home office is where remote employees spend most of their time, making it the perfect focus for thoughtful gifts. Some options include;
Office accessories such as adjustable laptop stands, wrist rests or back support cushions address the physical challenges of working from home. These practical gifts for remote workers show you care about their well-being and comfort.
Lighting solutions, such as desk lamps, can dramatically boost mood and productivity levels, especially in response to weather and time variations.
Organization tools, such as cable organizers, desk organizers, or stylish storage solutions that blend into home offices, can help create a functional workspace without straining.
b. Productivity boosters
Remote staff heavily rely on technology gadgets to retain productivity and prevent external distractions.
Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds can be instrumental in facilitating high-quality video calls and meetings, helping individuals focus on their work.
Portable power banks or wireless charging stations help workers keep their work devices charged, whether they are working from outside or in the event of power interruptions.
Smart home appliances such as voice assistants or smart plugs can also help streamline their home office routine and improve work-life balance.
c. Wellness and Self-care Items
There is a thin line between work and personal life in remote work setups. Remote employees may tend to ignore their personal lives, which may cause burnout, reduced productivity and absenteeism.
Mental health resources like access to programs, regular sessions with experts in the areas and app subscriptions, as well as physical gifts such as aromatherapy diffusers and candles, can support overall well-being.
Physical activity gifts such as workout gear, water bottles, gym memberships, and fitness trackers promote their health as well as work-life balance.
d. Experience and learning opportunities
These can include online course subscriptions for both career and personal development, virtual team experiences to foster relationships among team members, and conference tickets and sponsorships to provide networking and personal development opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to developing them as an employee and as an individual as well.
e. Seasonal Gifts
Every employee within a team is unique. It is therefore essential to personalize gifts for remote workers based on the various stages of their careers and lives. These gifts can include;
Welcome gifts to invite new employees into your business, such as home office essentials, tech upgrades, and gift cards. This will keep them engaged and motivated from the start.
Milestone Gifts, to celebrate a notable achievement, such as an employee’s anniversary in the company, or a target achievement, can make a significant impression on them.
Holiday gifts, such as those for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other significant holidays, can also be practical when incorporated into employee engagement strategies.
Answering Frequently Asked Questions about Remote Worker Gifting
- How can I ensure my gifts have a positive impact on my employees?
Personalization is the secret sauce to remote worker gifts that work as they create lasting emotional connections.
- How frequently should I gift my remote workers?
Always consider a dedicated budget that can inform decisions on the frequency and extent of employee engagement.
- What common mistakes should I avoid?
Not all gifts for remote workers are created equal. Avoid overly personalized items that cross boundaries, one-size-fits-all gifts that feel unauthentic, or complicated gifts that generate more work.
Build Remote Work Strategies that Last with Remote Raven
The remote work revolution is not slowing down; it is growing steadily. Transitioning from physical teams to remote teams can prove challenging for employers. Keeping remote staff engaged to achieve company goals can be more difficult.
At Remote Raven, we build remote teams that last. From recruitment and onboarding to team management, we strategically partner with you to ensure that you engage your team in the right way. We pay attention to the dynamics that remote workers present and help you manage your team effectively through thoughtful and effective strategies.
Are you unsure about where to start when building your remote team? Contact us today to schedule a complimentary discovery session.
