Hybrid working is becoming common for many businesses – but how do you engage with teams working remotely?

If you think the odd meeting on Teams or Zoom is enough, then think again! You can’t just leave people to ‘get on with it’. Lacking engagement with hybrid workers leads to them feeling disconnected and less motivated. Being isolated can create mental health issues. 

Latest figures from the UK government report that around one in five work at least one day a week at home. And around 13% work exclusively from home. That’s more than double the number that worked exclusively at home in 2019 – just before the pandemic.

According to one piece of research, the majority of employees say they want to work remotely for two or three days a week. That is a big increase since the Covid outbreak. 

Hybrid working isn’t just those who work from home, of course. Many businesses now have different sites as well as home working. Especially as technological advances over the past few years means it’s more easy to achieve. 

So business owners now have an extra task of engaging with the teams wherever they work. How do you do that?

5 ways to engage with teams working remotely

Keeping your team connected across different locations is more than just arranging extra Zoom or Teams calls. It’s about creating consistency, building trust and knowing how to spot problems early. 

At Shrewd HR, we help businesses set up clear structures that keep hybrid teams motivated, supported and engaged.

And it’s not just employers who want to know how to work effectively in hybrid workplaces. A research paper by Leeds University found that 74% of people surveyed wanted training to work more effectively away from the office.

Here are a few tips to help you and your teams engage when they work remotely.

1. Keep communicating

As we have already mentioned, people who work remotely can feel disconnected if you just leave them to it. And that’s not all. Because you’re not in the same room, you can’t spot small problems before they become big ones. By not seeing your team in person, you can’t read body language. 

That means you must do all you can to communicate with team members. Whether that’s through regular calls or Teams meetings, to scheduling time to chat. All these elements show your member of staff that they really are important. 

Regular team bonding activities are worth the investment. It could be something as simple as a team intranet page or having a regular social catch up in person or online. A picture paints a thousand words, and if you can see your team members, you will notice how they are faring in a way that an email can’t reveal.

2. It’s good to talk

In the days when we all worked from one location, there were ‘water cooler’ moments. Whether it was to chat about that weekend’s football or the cliffhanger in a soap, it was a moment of team-building. That’s missing when you work remotely. So look at informal WhatsApp groups where teams can talk to each other.

Offering a safe space for colleagues to engage makes them feel they’re part of a team. Remind members that their chat or virtual meeting is a safe place for them to do so. As with all your procedures, ensure everything is actioned. If not, engagement will fizzle out and you risk demotivating your team.

3. Invest in people

LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report says companies that prioritise employee development see a 50% higher retention rate. It can be easy to be so busy with your daily activities that you forget those working remotely. 

Offering those team members a chance to develop reminds them that they are an important part of your team. 

We’ve already looked at why your business needs to invest in training and development. But as well as boosting growth and profitability, you’re also reminding your team that they matter to you and your business.

4. Mental health and well-being support

Working remotely can mean that your employees are working at times they wouldn’t in the office. Blurring lines between professional and personal life can lead to burnout. And being at a desk alone can also create issues. Feeling isolated can leave colleagues feeling that they’re missing out. And this can lead to depression.

As well as keeping in touch, offering access to counselling services or mindfulness sessions can help address those issues. Again, it reminds your team members just how important they are to your business.

5. Be flexible

Not everyone works well at the same time of day. In the office, you may have worked from 9-5. But remote working means you can make the most out of your team’s productivity. Some people work better early in the morning, while others may prefer to start after lunch.

Research by the CIPD found that 87% of employees said flexibility improved their well-being. Just ensure that you have written policies and procedures in place. If you have team meetings, everyone must be available at those times. Saying it isn’t convenient to them can undermine the whole team.

How to engage with teams working remotely

Getting everything in order is important if you want to ensure you engage with your remote team members productively. Missing a crucial point could lead to chaos. That’s where we can help. We’re an experienced HR company in the North East of England, but we can work with businesses anywhere in the UK.

Contact us today and we’ll be ready to help you make the most of remote working.