Keeping Company Culture Alive in the Age of Remote Work

As remote work becomes standard, many organisations now have teams spread nationally and even across the globe. When employees are distributed and unseen, nurturing a strong cultural identity and employee loyalty can be challenging. But it remains critical to foster a cohesive and engaged workforce.

With fewer in-person interactions, unique company traditions and rituals that cultivate camaraderie may fall away. Virtual employees have less exposure to core company values through daily immersion. Leadership should intentionally communicate and reinforce guiding principles, perhaps even more frequently than before.

Firms will have to be more innovative in their initiatives to engage staff and rebuild and strengthen organisational cultural identity. Building personal connections remotely requires creativity and intent. Shared virtual coffee breaks, small group check-ins, and digital spaces for informal chats can help but will this be enough to stop them from being enticed away?

Without question, ensure remote employees have access to the same opportunities. Loop them into important meetings and projects. Avoid an “out of sight, out of mind” effect where in-office staff get favoured for growth and advancement.

A hybrid or fully remote workforce should not mean cultures become homogenized or disconnected. But maintaining bonds requires dedicating time and resources to unite employees through shared experiences, constant communication, and upholding a culture of inclusivity. The payoff will be a team deeply rooted in the company’s purpose and devoted to its future.