As many employees continue to work from home amid the COVID-19 outbreak, many may begin to catch the “work-from-home-blues.” They might feel isolated, lonely, or even unappreciated — especially those who are new to remote work. However, there are numerous research-backed ways that companies can support employees during these hectic times, ease their concerns, and ultimately boost their morale. 

It goes without saying that good communication is key. For example, it’s estimated that 46% of employees don’t know what to do after a meeting — and confusion can easily lead to frustration or even anger. That means that managers should end their meetings with clear, attainable goals to cut down on confusion and reduce unnecessary employee stress. 

Additionally, 26% of employees feel pressured to respond to work emails outside of business hours, which can lead to quite a bit of stress, especially when some employees struggle with logging off at the end of the day. Companies should encourage communication only during work hours. 

It’s also essential to foster a positive, productive work culture even when everyone’s working remotely. One of the best ways to do this is to practice gratitude. Employees who feel appreciated at work are 87% less likely to leave their organization. Therefore, companies should establish a program in which managers regularly express their gratitude and all employees can express their gratitude for one another. 

Research also shows that 83% of workers in mentoring programs are more likely to want to stay at an organization. Therefore, mentorship programs should continue remotely with companies encouraging regular virtual check-ins. 

There are even ways that managers and HR professionals can assist employees with their office setups. For example, it’s been shown that houseplants can increase engagement and productivity by 15% and two computer screens can increase productivity by 50%. Companies should play an active role in making sure that employees are set up for success at home. 

We’ll be hosting the Communicating & Engaging a Remote Workforce virtual event on April 23rd with additional practical tips. In the meantime, check out these 29 tips to boost morale and better engage with employees during remote work, provided by Fundera.

Article and & Inforgraphic by Meredith Wood, Fundera
Meredith Wood is the founding editor of the Fundera Ledger and a vice president at Fundera. She is frequently sought out for her expertise in small business topics. She is a monthly columnist for AllBusiness, and her advice has appeared in the SBA, SCORE, Yahoo, Amex OPEN Forum, Fox Business, American Banker, Small Business Trends, MyCorporation, Small Biz Daily, StartupNation, and more.