Wholeness Healing Center

A Sense of Belonging for Remote Workers

“Remote working has certainly become part of the reality of many businesses. Bringing a sense of belonging to all requires expanding our toolbox in how to connect. It means taking the time and effort to bring our kers into [. . .] interaction.”

A sense of belonging is a shared feeling that permeates a company’s culture. It ensures that each employee feels part of a team with a common mission and a robust support system. Belonging in the workplace is evident when workers collaborate and feel valued.

Leadership experts emphasize that belonging is central to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, forming the foundation of self-esteem and purpose. Without it, work becomes a task to endure rather than a place to contribute ideas.

A sense of belonging offers significant benefits not just to employees but also to companies. When employees have a sense of belonging, their values and goals align with the company’s, leading them to work towards the company’s objectives, not just a paycheck.

Employees who feel valued enhance company culture with their enthusiasm, increased engagement, reduced turnover, and boosted productivity and revenue. These employees tend to work harder and invest more effort than employees who don’t have a sense of belonging. Those employees tend to only do what is required, lacking personal connection and commitment to the company’s success.

A sense of belonging is crucial for remote workers but may also be more challenging to achieve. Without a sense of belonging, remote employees may quickly feel isolated and disengaged. They may do what is expected but not go beyond that line, and they may not share much on a personal level.

Remote workers must be passionate about the company to maintain productivity and contribute positively. They need to be self-starters as they are off on their own, and supervisors aren’t around to monitor their work ethic. Passion for the company motivates the employee to be productive and show continued effort. A sense of belonging ties into the employee’s productivity and work ethic.

There are some things you can do to ensure you are building a culture with a sense of belonging. Remote employees feel included when they are asked to contribute to meeting agendas, signaling their importance to the team.

Regular virtual meetings are another tool often used. It can be a one-on-one or group meeting. Visual or phone interactions enhance connection.

Beginning meetings with fun networking activities to foster connections can replace the casual interactions that happen in an office.

Another way to foster inclusivity for remote workers is to highlight their achievements publicly to give them visibility and acknowledgment. Consider sending tokens of appreciation like gift cards or company merchandise.

Acknowledging external events that remote workers are going through is equally important. People in the office tend to check in with coworkers, asking how their weekend was or if they have any big plans for the holiday. Often times, remote workers are exempt from this type of connection. Check in with your remote workers and see how they are, what their week has been like, or if they have weekend plans. A little effort may go a long way.

Remote working has certainly become part of the reality of many businesses. Bringing a sense of belonging to all requires expanding our toolbox in how to connect. It means taking the time and effort to bring our workers into daily, casual interaction. Next time you email or call a remote worker, remember to take a second and ask how their day is going; it may make all the difference to them. (Glassdoor Team, 2021)

Works Cited
Glassdoor Team. (2021, July 7). 9 ways to create belonging for remote employees. Retrieved from www.glassdoor.com.