When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, life as we knew it changed forever. Everyone had to change their habits and adjust to a new normal. By far, the biggest shift was seen in the corporate world, as employees started switching to remote working in order to keep themselves and their colleagues safe.
In the next two years, working from home slowly but surely became the norm for many. It is not difficult to see why; after all, it helps people save time and money, which are two commodities there is never enough of.
Nowadays, many people still work remotely, even though the pandemic has slowed down and most countries have eased their restrictions. In such circumstances, it might be hard to maintain camaraderie and the feeling of community in the office.
Luckily, there are many tips and tricks that employers can use to make every single employee feel valued and cared for, no matter where they choose to work from. In the case of remote workers, good communication, a healthy work/life balance, and some corporate gift baskets can go a long way.
Here’s how you can make them work for your own company.
The Effects of Working from Home
Besides saving time on commutes and staying safe from viruses, remote working has many benefits. Many employees feel more relaxed at home, as they can wear whatever they want and work at their own pace. In addition, they can usually take more breaks and organise their time according to individual preferences.
However, working from home does indeed have its downsides as well. For example, most remote employees often feel like they are not truly a part of their company team. They feel distant and removed from all the action, which can lead to poor performance and anxiety.
Aside from feeling distanced from their colleagues, people are also too separated from their superiors. In many cases, they don’t feel cared for or appreciated, even if their performance is stellar every day.
Thinking about remote working, in general, explains both of these phenomena. If people don’t come to the office or workplace every day, they will have a hard time making connections and feeling included. As a result, they will require more validation and support from both their superiors and colleagues.
How Employers Can Engage Remote Workers
Although it might seem difficult, there is actually a lot that employers can do to make their remote employees feel more as a team. Here are only some of the strategies that you can employ.
Communication Is Key
As already mentioned, people working from home often feel cut off from the rest of the team. To rectify that, you should aim to schedule a check-in call or chat session every day. During this time, you can see how the employee is doing, how their work is progressing, whether they need help, etc.
On the other hand, these calls will help your employee see that you care and want to be there for them. In addition, they will be able to stay up to date with what’s happening in the office, what projects everyone is working on, and other important information.
It might also be a good idea to create a group chat with all the employees, regardless of where they prefer to work. Aside from essential data, they can share memes, talk about their days, send tips, ask questions, etc. That way, everyone can feel included and valued.
Related content:
Boost Communication in a Remote Work Setup
Encourage Work/Life Balance
Since they work from home, many people struggle to separate their professional and private lives. For example, they might feel like they have to be available at all times and find it hard to relax in their own homes.
To avoid this or at least mitigate the issue, employers should emphasise a healthy work/life balance. The best way to do so is to indicate clear working hours that everyone should stick to at home, after which they can step away from their computer and do something else. By doing so, you can prevent your employees from feeling anxiety and stress and getting burnt out.
Show Your Appreciation for Your Employees’ Hard Work
Last but not least, you can make remote workers feel included and valued by giving them gifts. No matter its size or price, a gift will always make people feel better and remind them that you truly appreciate them.
Sending small gift baskets to your employees from time to time can ensure that they know you value them and care about them. Moreover, you can also make their working hours more comfortable and enjoyable with your gifts. That can, in turn, make them happier and more productive in general.
Without further ado, here are some gift baskets ideas you can use for remote employees in any industry.
1. Gadget Gift Basket
Promo gadgets are always a good choice for employee gifts, especially due to their high perceived value. Moreover, they are fitting for remote workers because most people need some essential gadgets to make their home office more functional.
These baskets can contain pretty much anything that your employees need. You can include custom power banks, phone and tablet stands, wireless charging pads, stylus pens, webcam covers, earbuds, etc. Generally speaking, you can go for anything as long as you can personalise it and you think your employees would find it useful.
Although most of these gadgets are quite small and don’t offer you a lot of branding space, they are still customisable. Thus, you should put your logo or a small message on each.
To make them even more poignant and personal, you can also brand them with your employees’ initials. Doing so will personalise the gifts even further and show your employees that you really care about them.
It is important to mention that these gift baskets are some of the most expensive ones you can opt for. Still, they are also the most durable and have the highest perceived value.
2. Stationery Gift Basket
It goes without saying that stationery is always a welcome gift for corporate workers. Besides being practical and functional, it is also quite affordable, meaning that you won’t have to spend a fortune to make your employees feel good.
Another great fact about these baskets is that you have a wide range of products to choose from. These include cost-effective items such as sticky notes, notepads, pens and pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and folders. Moreover, you can also spice things up with more pricey gifts, including premium notebooks, pencil cases, pen holders, and leather folders.
In this context, stationery is an excellent choice because it is incredibly customisable. Many of these items offer you a lot of branding area to work with, so you can truly make the gifts feel personal. Besides your logo and your employees’ initials, you can include messages, drawings, images, and anything else you want.
Related content:
Is Custom Stationery Still an Effective and Appealing Promo Gift?
3. Care Gift Basket
As already mentioned, it is pivotal to remind people to take care of themselves while working from home. That includes finding time for self-care and doing activities that they enjoy.
You can easily help your staff remember what matters most with a care gift basket. The best feature of these baskets is that they can contain anything that a particular employee finds helpful and soothing.
For example, you can give them candles, face masks, and some chocolate, snacks, or sweets. Another option is to include a nice blanket, different types of tea or coffee, a mug, stress balls, etc.
Moreover, you could also focus on some activities that your employees like. If they are avid readers, you can gift them an appealing book sleeve or store credit at their favourite bookshop. Alternatively, you could buy your artsy staff members tickets to the theatre, gallery, or a film you know they’ve been looking forward to seeing.
To be able to make a gift basket like this, you have to know your staff really well. Thus, don’t hesitate to ask about their interests and try to notice what they like to talk about or mention when they do come into the office. You paying attention to small details will show them that you care and want to make them feel more comfortable.
4. Mixed Gift Basket
In case you want to mix things up and give your staff a little bit of everything, you can also make baskets with different gift combinations. For example, you can include a gadget, some stationery, a nice mug, and a few self-care products.
These types of baskets can appeal to a wide demographic of people, meaning that you don’t have to know your employees personally. Just make sure that the items you choose are universally practical and necessary, and you can’t go wrong.
5. Office Essentials Gift Basket
Finally, if an employee is starting to work remotely for the first time or you have a new hire, you can give them a basket that will help transform their home into a functional working space. These baskets can include many different items, from drinkware to apparel.
First and foremost, you should include some important gadgets for working from home: noise-cancelling earphones, for example. Putting them on will help your employees focus on their tasks even at home, where they are surrounded by many potential distractors.
Then, you should also give them paperweights, mouse pads, wrist rests, and desk clocks. Besides making their working space organised and functional, these items will also give it a more professional look. That can, in turn, help improve one’s focus.
Next, you can also add some stationery. Notebooks and writing tools are always welcome, as are folders, paper clips, and other similar tools. However, you can include a planner or a calendar as well so that your staff can stay on top of all their tasks.
You can also personalise a T-shirt or sweatshirt that people can wear around the home. It is no secret that people wear more casual clothes while working from home. So, support and celebrate that by giving them nice company merch that will make them feel comfortable and like they are a part of a team.
Lastly, you should give each employee a mug printed with their name, the company logo, and a personal message. This message can be funny, encouraging, or connected to something they love. That way, they’ll think of you each time they take a sip of their favourite beverage while working!
To Conclude
As difficult as switching to remote working can be, certain things can make it a lot easier. These include prioritising communication and helping employees establish a healthy work/life balance.
However, it is just as important to send your staff gift baskets from time to time. These types of presents can help them feel valued and cared for at home, as well as make their private offices a bit more professional and functional.
Hopefully, this guide helps you engage with your remote staff meaningfully and make them feel like they belong. Remember to ensure that the gift baskets you prepare cater to each employee individually, and you can’t go wrong.
For any other questions — GoPromotional is always here to help!
You may also like:
Make Them Feel Appreciated: 17 Work From Home Gift Ideas for Employees
Contact us at 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today for more info, and browse through our vast collection of bestselling promo merchandise. Some of them might nudge your imagination in the right direction and help you create promo items that your clients and customers will love at first glance. We are waiting for your call!
