Managing Remote Workers in a Pandemic

With the distribution of the vaccine underway, we may be in the 3rd, if not 4th quarter of the COVID pandemic. And yet, now that the holidays are behind us and 2021 stretches out before us, we are more aware than ever of the fatigue that your staff and volunteers may be experiencing. How can you as a manager and leader encourage your team and keep them on track for a fruitful year ahead?

Managing remote workers in a pandemic requires an even greater intentionality.  Let’s look at three areas that require a slightly different approach in these times: communicating, deepening a sense of team and supporting your staff. 

Communicating

Leading a remote team requires clear, consistent and continual communication. Take a moment at every virtual gathering to focus on the mission and the team’s shared purpose, even if only for a moment. Set and reiterate priorities, direction and expectations to help workers perform efficiently and with confidence. 

We’ve lost those small informal touchpoint moments while working remotely. To make up for that lost ground, it’s important to check in with staff and/or volunteers regularly to ask after their well being and ensure they know their role and have the resources to fulfill it. 

Deepening a Sense of Team

The human connection is harder to cultivate when working remotely. We’ve already mentioned those lost informal, personal moments. Virtually, those moments have to be intentionally developed. Make time for some casual fun - personal updates, ice breakers or games. Take time to pray together and for one another.

Appreciation is energizing. Give shout outs to staff and volunteers for excellent work and valued contributions. Verbalize your appreciation for your team. When meeting one-on-one with team members,  don’t just ask about their progress on tasks, but check in with them personally and ask how you, the church or your organization can assist them in doing their job.

Supporting Staff and Volunteers

Your staff and volunteers may be struggling and may feel isolated during the pandemic. Encourage healthy habits like finding ways to exercise or move, incorporating creativity in their daily routines and having boundaries from work. Point team members to resources and outlets for spiritual, emotional, physical and financial health. Provide and communicate flexibility for family schedules and sickness. Sometimes the best way to support your staff is by humbly sharing about any struggles that you have faced in the pandemic. 

There are additional challenges to working remotely during the pandemic. If you would like to gather input from other churches and nonprofits on pandemic challenges that you’ve faced, let us know at hello@auxilio.partners.