Author: Sabrina Gonzalez

With remote work becoming increasingly more popular, learning how to keep remote employees satisfied is vital to the success of your company. Making positive interactions and improving company culture is always important, whether your coworkers are in-person or at home. One way to achieve this is by practicing gift-giving during the holidays, or for any occasion, in order to give thanks to those that help your business thrive. These gifts don’t necessarily have to be store-bought, but they should let your employees know you care.

Why Gifts Are Important To Your Business

Remote workers can often feel alienated from the rest of the team. Getting them holiday gifts can be a great way to help them feel included and engaged. Gifts can also act as a symbol of appreciation for your remote workers. It is important to let them know all of their hard work has not gone unnoticed just because they aren’t in the office. Gift-giving is beneficial for the entire team as well. Even on-site employees will be more motivated to produce high-quality results when they know their dedication is being rewarded. Getting gifts for employees can also:

• Increase job satisfaction
• Encourage loyalty
• Boost the morale
• Create positive memories
• Show gratitude 
• Strengthen bonds

Gift Ideas for Remote Workers

If you wish to get gifts for your remote employees and coworkers but you don’t know what to get them, we can help! Here are some gift ideas that are sure to be a holiday hit:

Desk Name Plate

Decorating your work space comes with many benefits that help boost your productivity and overall energy. Although distance workers cannot personalize their desk at the office, they can still get the same benefits from adding décor to their desks at home. Gifting your remote workers a customized desk name plate can instill a sense of importance and belonging that they might be missing.

Name Tag

Name tags not only give workers a sense of identity, but they establish your company brand as well. Getting your distance workers their own personalized name tag will show them they are part of team and highlight their specific duties. Name tags can also be a great way to spread awareness about your business, especially if your remote employees are working at different public locations.

Luggage Tag

Because remote employees can work from anywhere, there is a good chance they could be travelling. A custom luggage tag can be very helpful when flying frequently so they can keep track of their baggage and prevent suitcases from getting lost. A remote employee’s bags can be storing equipment that they need for work, so keeping them safe is crucial for your business.

Indoor Plants

Plants are a great gift for employees as there are many different ones to choose from. All you have to do is make sure the plants are safe for indoors, and that they can continue to grow. Placing plants near your work area comes with countless benefits such as:

• Reducing stress
• Increasing productivity
• Replenishing focus
• Heightening creativity
• Cleaning the air
• Preventing sickness

Headphones

Employees working from home may struggle with unavoidable interruptions such as children, pets, and housework. Employees working at public locations, like a coffee shop or library, may also have a hard time focusing while being in the same room as many other people. Gifting them some new headphones gives them the option to cancel out external noises and play music of their choice.

Daily Planner

With all the distractions that remote workers encounter on a regular basis, it could be difficult to stay on task. Keeping your home neat and organized is stressful enough, and that only intensifies when your home is also your office. A daily planner could be useful when trying to meet deadlines and stay motivated to finish projects. Planners can also be helpful for life outside of work, and this gift could be the boost they needed.

Streaming Services

While gifting your employees with items that can help their work is a great option, sometimes they may want something to help them kick back and relax. Streaming services have become a popular way to watch movies and shows without having to leave your home. Gifting a subscription to any streaming service can be done virtually through email or text which makes it easy for remote workers.

Food Delivery

With new food delivery service apps, getting food at your door is more convenient than ever. No matter where your remote workers live, gifting them with an online food delivery is easy and accessible. Make sure you know what types of foods your distance employees enjoy, and then send them a wonderful treat.

Gift Card

If you aren’t well informed on your remote worker’s likes and dislikes, you can always play it safe with a gift card . Similar to other virtual gifts, a gift card can be sent online without having to meet with your remote employees in person. Your remote workers will appreciate getting the choice of how to use their reward. Everyone can benefit from a gift card that they can use to purchase whatever they may need.

Key Takeaways

Although getting gifts for remote employees is not as easy as walking down the hall to a colleague’s desk, it is worth the extra effort. Some gifts can make your remote coworkers’ lives easier, while others just show that you value them and all the work they do. Simply put, you should strive to get a gift that will make your employees happy. If you are still unsure of what to get distance workers, we’ve got you covered! Follow these quick tips to ensure successful gift-giving:

• Get to know your remote employees
• Try to think outside the box
• Make the gifts more personal and meaningful
• Don’t just give away your company swag
• Consider the employee’s location
• Don’t forget about the presentation
• Be inclusive toward all demographics
• Continue practicing gift-giving after the holidays

Use our coupon code below to take advantage of seasonal savings on a variety of different holidays gifts!

Looking for more gift inspiration? Check out some of our other accessories and gifts that can be personalized for any worker!

Despite all the setbacks the pandemic might have caused, businesses have learned to adapt to the situation. Most have utilized new technologies, created new goals, and adjusted work schedules in order to succeed during the pandemic. The most common change that occurred in the workplace was the increase in remote work. Even with businesses returning to normal, it looks like remote work is here to stay.

What Is Remote Work?

Working remotely has become the norm with many companies today. Even if you have been working in person for a while now, chances are your job allows you certain days to work from home, or has a few full-time remote workers. Remote work is defined as employees working from a location other than a traditional office environment. This could be any place such as your home, a coffee shop, a library, or anywhere else that offers access to the internet.

Benefits of Remote Work

While hiring remote workers can be more difficult than hiring traditional employees, it does come with many advantages. Some of these benefits include:

• Greater flexibility
• Better work-life balance 
• No geographical limitations
• Less commuting stress
• Lower overhead costs 
• Decreased carbon footprint 
• More comfortable environment
• Increased inclusivity

Tips For Hiring Remote Workers

If you think hiring remote workers could be a great addition to your team but you don’t know where to start, we are here to help! Here are some of our tips to help you hire the right person for the job:

Make Use of New Technology

Even though you cannot meet with this potential employee face-to-face, new technology allows for a smooth interview process. Instead of relying on emails and phone calls, schedule a video chat so you can make a more accurate evaluation. Online services such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Facetime, and many more can still offer the same personal connection you could get in your office. Similar to the benefits of remote working, virtual meetings offer the same cost efficient and flexible advantages.

Ask the Right Questions

A remote worker will need a different set of skills to be successful than a traditional employee would, therefore you should ask a different set of questions. Because remote workers make their own schedules most of the time, it is important for you to ensure they have decent time management skills. Remote workers will also need a good sense of self-direction and self-discipline since they do not have the ability to constantly check in with the rest of the team. Testing your potential employees on their technological abilities is crucial in order to maintain regular communication with them and keep business flowing as planned.

Arrange Personality and Skills Tests

Although remote workers will not be in the office with other employees, it is still important that they fit in and add to the company’s culture. Personality and skills tests can reduce the chances of hiring the wrong person for the job. These tests will help you understand the candidates better and give you some insight on their unique traits. You can also use the information you gain from these tests to see how employees coordinate with others, solve problems, and manage their workload.

Contact Their References

If you still feel unsure about hiring a remote worker, you can always contact some of their references to make sure they are a good fit at your company. Previous managers and coworkers can be a great resource to you, and they can let you know about some of the candidate’s accomplishments at their last job. Performing reference checks can also help you confirm that the person you are interviewing is in fact who they say they are. 

Create a Welcoming Environment

Just because you are interviewing a potential employee online, does not mean you should not treat it the same as an in-person meeting. The candidate will benefit from you being as open and informative as possible so that they can get a better understanding of your company’s needs. You can even get creative and take them on a virtual tour of the building or introduce them to other employees so that they feel included and know the ins and outs of the work culture.

How Name Tags Can Benefit Remote Workers

Because remote workers are not meeting face-to-face with other employees, keeping them in the loop is necessary for them to be successful. Giving them the opportunity to have their own personalized name tag or desk plate can make a big difference when it comes to open communication and inclusivity. Here are just a few of the benefits of getting your remote workers their own custom name tags and desk name plates:

• Makes them feel valued and appreciated
• Shows them they are a part of the team 
• Improves their productivity even at home
• Highlights specific job roles and duties
• Helps to build trust among coworkers

Check out some of our custom name tags and name plates that can help your remote employees feel like truly belong at your company:

Name Tag With Job Title

A name tag that includes your remote employee’s full name and job title can be a great way to  help them feel confident and proud of their new role.  This custom name tag could also be beneficial for other workers to know exactly who they are communicating with online.

Full Color Acrylic Desk Plate

A unique desk plate that displays your remote employee’s name could help them stay motivated even when working from home. Giving them the chance to decorate their own space with this name desk plate could also increase productivity and overall energy.

Customizable name tags or desk plates can be a great way to make your remote employees feel included and special.  It is beneficial for the whole team when everyone is working together and communicating properly.