Reboarding: Belonging and Reconnecting
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Reboarding and engaging hybrid team members who are not often working in the office can be a challenge. There are several strategies you can implement to encourage communication, foster team collaboration, and ensure remote employees feel connected to their colleagues throughout and after reboarding.
Here are our TOP 10 Reboarding Strategies that will create a belonging and reconnect teams:
#1
Regular Virtual Meetings: Schedule regular team meetings or ‘huddles’ via video conferencing tools to keep everyone connected. These meetings can be daily or weekly, depending on the team’s needs, and provide an opportunity to discuss work progress, share updates, celebrate achievements, and address any concerns as you implement your reboarding plans.
#2
Utilize Collaboration Tools: Make use of collaboration and communication tools, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or other project management software, to facilitate quick and easy interactions among team members. Encourage the use of channels or chat groups for specific topics or projects to make reboarding successful.
#3
Virtual Team Building Activities: Building social activities into your reboarding strategies is important. Organize virtual team-building activities and social events to promote team bonding and camaraderie. These could include online games, virtual coffee breaks, or even virtual team lunches where everyone eats together while on a video call.
#4
Encourage Informal Communication: Reboarding should emphasize the importance of informal communication, like water cooler chats, that involve both in-office and remote employees. Encourage team members to interact on non-work-related topics through dedicated channels or chat threads.
#5
Buddy System: Pair remote employees with colleagues who are working from the office, creating a “buddy system.” This way, remote employees can stay updated on office happenings and feel more included. Reducing the isolation of remote workers promotes a sense of belonging that is essential to successful reboarding efforts.
#6
Share Achievements and Recognition: Acknowledge and celebrate team members’ achievements and milestones publicly as you implement reboarding plans. Use communication channels to recognize their efforts, making sure remote employees receive the same recognition as their in-office counterparts.
#7
Cross-Functional Projects: Reboarding strategies should encourage cross-functional collaboration on projects to promote teamwork and build relationships across different teams or departments. Implemented well, cross-functional collaboration can create greater camaraderie, a more enjoyable work environment, and synergy.
#8
One-on-One Check-ins: Managers should schedule regular one-on-one check-ins with remote employees to discuss progress, address concerns, and provide support during the reboarding process. This helps build a strong manager-employee relationship.
#9
Promote Flexibility: To be successful, reboarding should provide flexible work hours for both in-office and remote employees to accommodate different schedules and time zones. This shows that you value work-life balance and trust your employees to manage their time effectively.
#10
Feedback and Surveys: Regularly seek feedback from all team members, including remote employees, on their experience with team engagement. Use this feedback to make continuous improvements in your reboarding strategies.
Remember, creating an inclusive and engaging team environment for both in-office and remote employees requires intentional effort and ongoing communication to ensure reboarding efforts are successful. By implementing these strategies, you can help remote employees feel more connected and valued as integral members of the team.
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