How to Reward Remote Employees Working from Home

As we read the news or scroll through our Facebook feeds, it’s probably safe to say we’re all feeling like Dorothy these days. And much like the tornado that transported Dorothy and her pooch into the land of Oz, the coronavirus has flipped our world on its head.

Work is home and home is work.

Now you suddenly have a team of remote workers who are more than likely dealing with a fair share of anxiety over the new work conditions. And when you factor in the additional distractions like bored kids, checking social media, online shopping, and more, it’s easy to see how quickly your employees could become disengaged from their job.

So, it’s important to find ways to keep your at-home workforce engaged, content, and feeling professionally fulfilled.

Easier said than done, right? Actually, it’s just easy!

And here are the three steps you need to make it happen.

Step One: Create a Recognition Program

Recognition is a thoughtful way to not only reward great work, but also demonstrate that you care about their well-being. And this will inject some much-appreciated humanity into the lives of employees feeling isolated and cut-off from the rest of the world.

The great thing about recognition programs is that there aren’t any rules – YOU decide the parameters. Anything and everything from a traditional team-wide sales contest to number of hours worked to an individual going above and beyond their normal call of duty.

Efforts like this can strengthen the manager-to-employee relationship and boost workforce morale as a whole.

Step Two: Reward with Experiences

A recognition program is only as impactful as its corresponding reward. Survey after survey shows that experiences, not things, are what most employees today crave.

Food, like gourmet steaks from Omaha Steaks, is the perfect reward for everyone on your team because it allows the recipient to share it with friends and family. When you give Omaha Steaks, you’re giving an experience. Here are just a few ways to do that:

Reward your staff with a virtual BBQ. Send gourmet steak gift packages (many of which include additional entrees like burgers, jumbo franks, even dessert) and then schedule a date for the BBQ. Encourage your team to grill up their Omaha Steaks and then hold a video-conference to allow your team to enjoy their food together. 

Recognize an employee for working a weekend. Sometimes weekend work is inevitable. When it happens, show the employee that their sacrifice didn’t go unnoticed. Give them with an Omaha Steaks Custom Certificate and allow them to pick their own reward!

Kick off the start of a new month with a surprise-and-delight! Send a no-risk gift certificate directly to your team with a personalized note of encouragement.

Step Three: Enjoy a Happier, More Engaged Team

Remember, a recognition program for your newly remote employees lets them know their contributions are important. But more importantly, it lets them know they THEY’RE important. This leads to reduced stress, increased job satisfaction, and more engaged workers. All of this ladders-up to better overall performance and a sense of connectedness with your organization.

A thoughtful, well-intentioned employee recognition program can go a long way in helping your business weather these uncertain times. Let a business gift concierge help you build a turnkey branded gift program centered around your goals and budget – you’ll even find free shipping included on select gifts. The best part? You’ll never have to worry about inventory with Omaha Steaks – the gifts you want are the gifts you’ll receive.