Stay-at-home orders may be easing across the country; but chances are you have staff members either hesitant to return to the office or unable to do so with children in virtual school. While some employees may already be back in your physical location, the legacy of the pandemic may be the hybrid team: a dispersed workforce that’s split between in-office and remote workers.

Many managers have certainly gained experience directing a completely virtual team these last several months. It’s when a higher percentage of employees continue to work remotely that the challenges will be different. Here are some tips for staying on track:

  • Acknowledge the new normal. This is a time like no other, and its effect on workers will be lasting. Don’t stop expressing your appreciation for everything your team is doing to keep in good spirits and contribute to the company’s bottom line. After all, it’s your strong and dedicated teams who ultimately will get your business through this crisis.
  • Help teams stay connected. During video calls, update off-site staff on key takeaways from meetings held at the office that could impact their projects. Another idea could be to simply continue to make all meetings virtual.
  • Don’t stop remote nonwork conversations. One way employees in some businesses are keeping their spirits up is by having short chats, like previously done when everyone was in the office—including checking in to see how people are doing, whether they’re working in the office or from home.
  • Pay attention to employee behavior. Don’t overlook the fact that some remote workers may start to feel left out if they’re not physically returning to the office. Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Look for signs that remote workers aren’t performing at their best, such as missed deadlines, lack of communication or decreasing interest in their assignments.

Flexibility Is Key