How to ensure your team is fully engaged, wherever they’re based

It’s now five years since the onset of the Covid crisis and while memories of shutdowns and lockdowns continue to recede, the remote working boom ushered in by the pandemic is most definitely here to stay.

Irrespective of whether your employees are doing nine-to-five in the office or spending some, or all, of the week working from home, ensuring they remain motivated, engaged and productive is essential. 

Focusing on three pedals of excellence, ‘performance, growth and wellbeing’ will help you build a workforce that keeps on hitting the high notes, according to leadership and change coach Louise Gilbert.

“Getting the most out of your team in the new year isn’t just about what they do – it’s about how they do it,” Gilbert says.

Here are three ways you can help make it easier for your people to do their best work this year.

1. Maintain open communication channels

Clear, effective communication has always been important and when staff are working across multiple locations, it’s critical.

Holding weekly all hands meetings and regular check-ins with employees – in person or via Teams or Zoom – allows your team ample opportunity to share ideas, air concerns and connect with their colleagues. It’s an effective way to check in that everyone feels included and heard.

2. Foster a collaborative environment

In today’s times, working from home doesn’t have to mean working alone. Brainstorming and collaboration can occur as effectively via messaging platforms, such as Google Workspaces, Trello and Slack, as it does in real life. 

Encourage your employees to use them for shared tasks if they’re unable to get together in person and watch their creativity and productivity go into overdrive.

3. Prioritise employee wellbeing

Working your hardest doesn’t mean working all the time. On the contrary: employees who maintain a healthy work life balance are more likely to remain engaged and productive over the long haul.

Make employee wellbeing a genuine priority, by supporting your team members to take breaks, pursue outside interests and attend to family responsibilities.

Protecting your employees while they’re working for you

If an employee is injured on your premises, or while working for your business from their own home or from another location, they may be entitled to seek compensation. 

Workers compensation insurance may be able to provide an employee with some income while they’re off work, and help cover medical and rehabilitation expenses they may incur, depending on the circumstances of the incident and the terms of the policy. It’s compulsory in all states and territories, for all businesses that employ staff.

Prevention is better than cure and maintaining a safe, healthy workplace can reduce the likelihood of one of your team members being involved in an accident or incident while they’re on the job.

Cover to protect your team in 2025 

The start of a new year is a good time to review your workers compensation insurance, to ensure it provides an appropriate level of cover for your business. If you’d like some help to do so, or want to compare your policy options, contact your Steadfast broker today.

Important notice
This article is of a general nature only and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. It is also not financial advice, nor complete, so please discuss the full details with your Steadfast insurance broker as to whether these types of insurance are appropriate for you. Deductibles, exclusions and limits apply. You should consider any relevant Target Market Determination and Product Disclosure Statement in deciding whether to buy or renew these types of insurance. Various insurers issue these types of insurance and cover can differ between insurers.
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