How can you create a community for remote and hybrid employees?

1 Communicate frequently and effectively

Communication is the key to building trust, collaboration, and alignment among your remote and hybrid employees. You need to communicate clearly and consistently about your goals, expectations, feedback, and recognition. You also need to use various channels and formats to suit different preferences and purposes, such as video calls, instant messages, emails, and newsletters. Make sure you balance synchronous and asynchronous communication, and avoid overloading or ignoring your employees.

2 Encourage social interaction and fun

Remote and hybrid employees may feel isolated or disconnected from their peers and managers, especially if they have limited opportunities to meet in person. You can create a community for remote and hybrid employees by encouraging social interaction and fun activities that help them bond and relax. For example, you can host virtual coffee breaks, happy hours, trivia games, or book clubs. You can also celebrate milestones, birthdays, holidays, and achievements with online cards, gifts, or shout-outs.

3 Support learning and development

Remote and hybrid employees may face some unique challenges and opportunities for learning and development. You can create a community for remote and hybrid employees by supporting their professional growth and career aspirations. For example, you can offer online training, coaching, mentoring, or peer learning programs. You can also provide feedback, recognition, and rewards for their achievements and contributions. You can also create opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, innovation, or leadership.

6 Cultivate a shared culture and vision

Remote and hybrid employees may have different backgrounds, experiences, or perspectives than their onsite colleagues, which can enrich or challenge your organizational culture and vision. You can create a community for remote and hybrid employees by cultivating a shared culture and vision. For example, you can articulate and reinforce your core values, mission, and goals. You can also highlight and celebrate your diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. You can also showcase and align your social responsibility, impact, or purpose.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?