LANSING – According to Global Workforce Analytics 3.7 million employees now work from home at least half the time.  In addition, Gallup reports that 37 percent of US workers say they have telecommuted at some point in their career.  This is four times greater than just 9 percent back in 1995.  With the growing population of telecommuters, are these workers feeling less connected and isolated?

A survey from TINYpulse, an employee engagement firm, contends remote employees actually report feeling happier, more valued, and more productive.

  • When remote workers were asked how valued they feel at work they scored 7.75, compared to all workers who rated just 6.69.
  • 91 percent of remote workers believe they “get more work done when working remotely.”
  • When asked how often they have contact with their manager, 52 percent reported once a day or multiple times per day.  However, it should be noted that 34 percent reported only once a week, 10 percent reported once a month, and 3 percent reported never!

With the growing number remote employees and the importance of creating an engaged workforce, the third statistic is alarming.  So what can managers do to ensure that their remote employees feel an emotional connection with both the company they work for and their manager?

To learn more, click on https://www.sbam.org/Resources/tabid/97/ArtMID/2980/ArticleID/2731/Are-remote-workers-less-engaged.aspx