Everyone appreciates when their hard work is acknowledged. However, rewarding remote employees can be difficult due to various factors. Offering virtual rewards can seem subpar in some circumstances, yet you don't want to leave out your remote team members entirely, especially when they exceed expectations. Here are seven thoughtful ways to reward remote employees, from providing schedule flexibility to investing in their professional development.

Flexibility Is Key

One of the inherent perks of remote work is flexibility, so why not play this up as a way to reward your remote employees? Allow your team members to check in later in the morning or leave work an hour later. You can even schedule in half days or work with them to create a gap in their work schedule for daily tasks like picking up their kids from work or heading to the gym. Allowing your employees to alter their work schedule shows a level of trust and is a tangible reward for all their hard work.

Know Your Team

In the same vein as offering flexibility, taking the time to get to know your employees and offering them perks based on that familiarity can be a great boon. For example, if you have an early bird employee, work with them to set an early morning schedule that gets the most work done possible so they can head out before the end of the day.

Similarly, if your employees are night owls, consider giving them the freedom to submit work in the evening when they're more productive. By paying attention to your team's unique traits and skills, you show you value them and give them the gift of customized work perks.

Promote Professional Development

Another gift you can give to your remote team members is the gift of professional development. Not only are there plenty of Slack-integrated learning programs that can help you offer professional development to your team members, but allowing your team the time to hone their skills can be one of the greatest workplace gifts you can give. Consider giving your team set days of the month to work on professional development tasks or hosting webinars on professional development topics.

No matter how you offer professional development opportunities, your employees will thank you. Plus, as a bonus, employees constantly growing their skill set is a real asset to your team, so this kind of remote employee reward is a gift that keeps giving.

Give Gifts

This may come as a surprise given the virtual nature of remote employees, but giving physical gifts can be one of the best ways to show you value their input. Some of the easiest ways to give out gifts are through gift cards or virtual employee reward apps that allow your team members to select the gift they want.

These physical gifts show that you value your employees and can be a tangible reminder that you think of them as more than just a name on the screen. You can also give other physical items away, like workplace swag or even tickets to a webinar. No matter what you hand out, ensure they show your team members that you value their input.

Virtual Appreciation

Since your remote employees spend most of their time in a virtual workspace, why not offer them virtual appreciation? Employee shoutouts and team birthday reminders can be a great way to show your team you appreciate them. Not only does a virtual shoutout last for a long time, but it also can reach your entire department, giving your employees those 15 seconds of fame across the company. By allowing team members to provide shoutouts for a job well done, you can also increase team cohesion and build a positive workplace environment. It's a win-win!

Personalized Messages

Virtual workspaces can start to feel incredibly impersonal after a while. That's why one of the most important things you can offer to your remote team members is a personalized message. Not only does it show that you care for your team beyond their productivity, but it also acts as a way for you to connect with your remote employees truly. Mention things your employee did well, reference inside jokes or insightful comments, and take the time to craft a personalized message that resonates with your team members.

While this may feel like a small thing, employees hold onto messages from their managers and team members and may turn back to them in times of stress. Not only does a personalized message solidify your remote employees as part of the team, but it can help stave off burnout, making it a solid way to reward your remote employees.

Involve the Whole Team

What better way to celebrate your remote employees than involving the whole team? You could host a game night through CultureBot or have a fun meeting celebrating a job well done. Because your team is remote doesn't mean you shouldn't celebrate accomplishments, so be sure to involve your whole team in the party! You can set up a virtual party space or host a celebration Slack channel for those who are more camera-shy. This idea is great for celebrating workplace anniversaries, birthdays, and more. Be sure to coordinate with your team to set aside a time that works best for everyone, and consider sending out personalized invitations to drive home those team connections.

If you're looking for more ways to connect with your remote employees, CultureBot is a great tool. Whether you're looking to keep Slack channels alive through an automated water cooler prompt setting or want to celebrate employee accomplishments at the push of a button, CultureBot has everything you need to show your team members that you value their input. From custom game events to employee shoutouts, this Slack integration has everything you need to reward your remote employees and keep your virtual team members engaged. Of course, if you're interested in more tips and tricks to help you connect with your virtual team members, check out our blog posts.

~ Oswald