Remote Work Realities: Recognizing Signs of a Struggling Employee

The shift to remote work brings significant advantages like flexibility and work-life balance, but business leaders must also be able to recognize the signs that could signal a remote employee is struggling and address them appropriately. Being attentive to the hidden realities of remote employees is key for managers seeking to support their teams in the modern workplace.

Some common signs of a struggling remote employee may include:

• Infrequent or poor communication: Without water cooler chats or impromptu desk-side conversations, remote employees who are struggling may be less attentive to internal communication channels. Establish more frequent one-on-ones with them to ensure they remain engaged with their work and their team.
• Decreased output quality: Drops in output or KPIs going unmet could signal that the employee is having difficulty. Open a two-way conversation with them to identify the source of the problem and outline clear steps to resolve it.
• Burnout: Recent reports show that 69% of remote employees report experiencing burnout, and 42% report experiencing higher levels of stress from their work. Communicate with the employee about their work-life balance and find ways to help them set boundaries to ensure their needs are met and productivity is maintained.
• Absenteeism: In traditional offices, it’s easy to notice when an employee is absent, but this isn’t always the case in virtual settings. If a remote employee frequently misses meetings or deadlines, it may warrant a discussion about their physical or mental health.

By remaining aware of these signs, managers can deploy solutions like scheduled check-ins, virtual water cooler sessions, asynchronous communication channels, and remote mentoring programs. This helps uphold team cohesion, ensure clarity, provide social outlets, and nurture career growth amidst the complexities of remote work for employees who are struggling.

Remember, there are always means to meaningfully connect and engage with our workforce, no matter where they are located. We simply have to put in the effort to uncover them.

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