Out of sight, out of mind?
Although recent workplace studies have found that working remotely can increase an employee’s productivity and efficiency, it’s not always guaranteed. So the question remains, can virtual offices replace real-life workplaces? And if so, at what cost?
During ForceBrands’ 2017 HR Collective on November 14, thought leaders across the HR industry gathered together to connect and share advice. During the hour-long breakout sessions led by ForceBrands’ seasoned executive recruiters and client strategists, attendees addressed the topic of technology and the virtual workplace.
“It’s so important to get face time,” ForceBrands’ Director of Client Strategy Ben Ramsey said. “There will never be enough technology to make an employee feel part of the culture — there’s no shortcut there.”
Not only can working remotely hinder an employee’s ability to feel like they’re part of the team, it can also affect their overall engagement — a big challenge among Millennials.
“It’s so important for me as a manager to get one-on-one face time with my team members,” Alex Clarke, the Division Director for Sales and Marketing Recruiting at ForceBrands, said. “It gets people to open up and talk about those conversations that aren’t being had.”
Reflecting back on the morning’s panel conversation about Millennials, Clarke highlighted the importance about keeping this generation actively engaged in the work they are doing.
“The biggest barrier with Millennials is keeping them engaged,” Clarke said. “They need that face-to-face verbal recognition that otherwise gets lost when working remotely.”
