Managing remote employees – tips from training and development
To address the priorities of our current workforce and make sure we are continually positioned
to retain and attract a diverse set of talented employees in a competitive labor market,
MidAmerican is now offering a variety of flexible work arrangements, including hybrid and
remote work opportunities.
To help our leaders potentially adjust to different types of work arrangements, the training and
development team is sharing guidelines and suggestions in a three-part LEAD series. This
month’s topic is the importance of communication.
Communication
When employees are not in the same physical workplace as their leader or team, it’s critical that
communication channels stay strong between the employee and their peers, as well as the
employee and their manager or supervisor. You can support open communication by:
 Being intentional about building relationships with direct reports – Without inperson contact with remote team members, there are limited opportunities for informal
conversations. Be intentional about including connection activities and conversations
into your regular interactions. If possible consider adding a team-building activity to the
start of your weekly meetings. Creating opportunities for these interactions will help your
employees build camaraderie, regardless of their work locations.
 Scheduling frequent check-ins with your remote staff – Quick check-ins can
establish a predictable routine, either daily or weekly, and provide an opportunity to
touch base on major projects, tasks or issues as they arise.
 Focusing on outcomes – Communicate clear expectations of deadlines and
deliverables, and if an extended project is involved, consider frequent check-ins to
maintain accountability and open lines of communication
As with any change, there are challenges to overcome. When managing a remote employee or
team, it’s important to be intentional, actively engaged and flexible. Watch for additional tips for
managing remote workers in the July and August issues of LEAD.