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Building Community and Increasing Employee Engagement during COVID-19

In the midst of a global pandemic, when remote work has become the norm for millions of people, building community and maintaining employee engagement can be a significant challenge. However, companies that prioritize community building will reap significant benefits, including improved employee engagement, productivity, and overall morale. Here are a few tips for building community and increasing employee engagement during COVID-19.

1. Use virtual team building activities

Virtual team building activities can be an effective way to build community and increase employee engagement during COVID-19. Some of these activities may include:

Virtual happy hours
Online games and puzzles
Virtual book clubs
Remote fitness challenges

These types of activities can help employees feel more connected with their colleagues, despite physical distance. They provide an opportunity to bond over shared interests, relax outside of work, and foster a sense of togetherness and unity as a team.

2. Hold all-hands meetings

All-hands meetings are an essential tool for building community in any organization. These meetings allow employees to come together and hear updates from leadership, discuss important issues, and receive recognition for their hard work. In the era of remote work, all-hands meetings can be held virtually, via video conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Skype.

The key to a successful all-hands meeting is to be transparent and open with your employees. Share important updates about the company's financial position, new initiatives, and any setbacks. Encourage employees to ask questions and provide feedback. Celebrate successes and offer support for challenges that arise.

3. Foster a sense of belonging with employee resource groups

Employee resource groups (ERGs) can be an excellent way to foster a sense of belonging within your organization. ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that focus on a specific demographic or interest area, such as a women's group or a group for LGBTQ+ employees.

ERGs provide a safe and supportive space for employees to come together and share their experiences, raise awareness about important issues, and provide education and resources. By supporting ERGs, employers show that they value diversity and inclusion within their organization, which can have a positive impact on employee engagement and retention.

4. Encourage employees to take breaks and maintain work-life balance

When employees are working from home, work-life balance can be a challenge. Many employees feel like they have to be "on" and available at all times, which can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.

Encourage your employees to take breaks throughout the day, and to avoid working outside of their normal work hours. Empower them to set boundaries and prioritize their mental health and wellbeing. By supporting work-life balance, you'll be supporting your employees' overall engagement and productivity, as well as showing them that you care about their wellbeing.

5. Invest in professional development opportunities

Professional development is a critical factor in employee engagement and retention. When employees feel like they have opportunities to grow and develop their skills, they're more likely to be engaged in their work and loyal to their employer.

During COVID-19, investing in professional development opportunities can be a challenge, as in-person conferences and events may not be possible. However, there are still plenty of virtual opportunities available, including webinars, online workshops, and e-learning platforms. Encourage employees to take advantage of these opportunities, and consider sponsoring some training or development programs yourself.

6. Recognize and celebrate employee accomplishments

Employee recognition is a critical component of employee engagement and morale. When employees feel recognized and appreciated for their hard work, they're more likely to be engaged and productive.

During COVID-19, recognition may be more challenging, as in-person celebrations and events may not be possible. However, there are still plenty of ways to recognize and celebrate employee accomplishments, including virtual shout-outs, personalized notes, and public recognition during all-hands meetings.

7. Communicate regularly

Communication is essential in any relationship, including the relationship between employer and employee. During COVID-19, when many employees are working remotely, it's critical to maintain open lines of communication to ensure that employees feel connected and supported.

Regular check-ins, one-on-one meetings, and virtual team meetings can all help to maintain strong lines of communication between employers and employees. Encourage employees to share their concerns and feedback, and take action to address any issues that arise.

8. Be flexible and adaptable

COVID-19 has created a significant level of uncertainty for employees and employers alike. As a result, it's critical to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Whether it's adjusting work hours to accommodate caregiving responsibilities, being open to working from home on a permanent basis, or pivoting business strategies to respond to changing market conditions, being flexible and adaptable is essential in the era of COVID-19.

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FAQs

Why is community building important during COVID-19?

Community building is important during COVID-19 because remote work can be isolating and lonely. When employees feel like they're part of a community, they're more likely to be engaged, productive, and loyal to their employer.

What are some virtual team building activities?

Some virtual team building activities include virtual happy hours, online games and puzzles, virtual book clubs, and remote fitness challenges.

What are employee resource groups?

Employee resource groups are voluntary, employee-led groups that focus on a specific demographic or interest area, such as a women's group or a group for LGBTQ+ employees. ERGs provide a safe and supportive space for employees to come together and share their experiences, raise awareness about important issues, and provide education and resources.

Why is professional development important?

Professional development is important because it helps employees to grow and develop their skills, which makes them more engaged and productive in their work. It also shows employees that their employer values their growth and development, which can lead to increased loyalty and retention.

Why is communication important during COVID-19?

Communication is important during COVID-19 because remote work can be isolating, and employees need to feel connected and supported. Regular communication can help to maintain strong lines of connection between employers and employees, and can help to address concerns and issues before they become major problems.

Why is flexibility important during COVID-19?

Flexibility is important during COVID-19 because the pandemic has created a significant amount of uncertainty and disruption. Employers who are flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances will be better positioned to respond to market conditions, retain employees, and maintain productivity.

In conclusion, building community and maintaining employee engagement during COVID-19 is a significant challenge, but it's also an opportunity for employers to show their employees that they care, and to reap significant benefits in the form of improved engagement, productivity, and morale. By following these tips for virtual community building, employers can support their employees during this challenging time, and maintain a strong and committed workforce.