Motivation and remote work – showing appreciation from a distance
Working from home has evolved from a makeshift solution to a popular form of modern work in German companies. Younger generations in particular often consider it a requirement when choosing their employer. Although the pandemic has ended, many companies therefore need to face the associated challenges.
Remote work did not play a major role before COVID. Only 4% of employees worked exclusively or predominantly from home. When the first lockdown began in April 2020, this figure suddenly rose to 27% and also remained at 24% in January 2021. It comes as no surprise that this sudden shift under extraordinary circumstances was often rather complex. We covered this topic back in April 2020. Some of these challenges have been overcome, while others persist, albeit to different degrees or for other reasons.
A challenge became an opportunity
Especially during the lockdowns, circumstances were so extreme that they can hardly be compared with daily work life today. The imperatives and restrictions simply affected everything. All this is now over. The greatest initial challenge has also been solved: technical feasibility. IT administrators set up the necessary networks under enormous pressure, and employees learned to switch to digital tools such as Teams, Zoom or Skype practically overnight. What was necessary during the pandemic is now optional. This has brought tremendous change.
What happened to “we”?
What does remain, however, is the essential character of the remote work model: members of a group are spatially separated and still need to interact. Here, there is often a lack of spontaneous exchange among colleagues by the water cooler or over lunch. These moments are important to the company culture, as they foster a group feeling.
Companies now need to provide employees with this group feeling at home. Many managers are conceding in the face of this task and asking employees to return to the office. For many, however, this feels like having a privilege withdrawn. It reduces the appeal of the employer and does not help to attract new employees. But it is precisely this that is crucial in the current labor market.
What’s more, it is by no means clear whether this form of work is actually decisive for fostering team spirit. Ultimately, how the respective model is communicated and implemented is more important.
Gift cards provide positive motivation
Our gift cards can also help here. Both the motivation of individual employees as well as group feeling can be promoted with gift cards for shared leisure activities, such as a visit to the movie theater with a MovieChoice MovieGiftCard. Ideally, employers may even make working hours available for this purpose. This investment can pay off two-fold – in addition to positive team spirit, employers can thereby contribute to a healthy work-life balance.
Moreover, companies can now clearly emphasize the compatibility of remote work with family life as a benefit – with gift cards for shared family activities such as our BestChoice ShoppingGiftCard. Clear and appreciative communication is essential here. Gift cards are an excellent tool for this purpose.
The cadooz Employee Benefit Club
Unlike money, gift cards are not only able to support, but also convey messaging. And with the tax-free benefit in kind, you can even give your employees €50 on top of their salary each month – exempt from tax and social security contributions.
But the best thing is that this does not even involve much effort. That’s because with the Employee Benefit Club, cadooz provides you with a simple, convenient and digital tool for this. We handle all the organization for you. This way, employee appreciation takes care of itself.
You too can use the many possibilities we offer you for motivating your employees and maintaining your company culture with remote work. Give us a call or simply use our contact form.
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