The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented changes for many industries. As social distancing is encouraged and provinces uphold stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders for all non-essential workers, many employers are asking their employees to work from home.

For some, working from home is business as usual. For others, this may be the first time they’ve telecommuted. A work-from-home arrangement may seem exciting at first, but it can lose its lustre over time, resulting in disengaged employees. When employees aren’t engaged, their productivity and motivation can suffer.

Listed below are five ways you can keep employees engaged while they work from home.

Prioritize communication

Remote employees can often feel like they’re out of the loop, which is why daily communication is so important. Managers should consider scheduling regular check-ins to see how employees are doing, if you can do anything to help, and to communicate any company news as it presents itself.

Remember that communication is a two-way street. Be sure to listen to any concerns that employees may have. During the current pandemic, many employees may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Listen to their concerns and evaluate whether there’s anything that you can do to help mitigate those feelings. Remote employees may start to feel isolated, so it’s important to remind them that they’re not alone, especially during these uncertain times.

Set clear expectations

Be sure to communicate your expectations of employees while they work from home. Employees who are aware of your expectations will be more motivated to meet them. If you want employees to be online for specific hours of the day, communicate that. If you want a daily report of what they are working on, be sure to ask.

You should, however, be mindful that not all employees may have the ideal telecommuting set-up as daycares and schools are closed due to the pandemic. As such, be patient and understanding with your employees. Encourage them to take paid time off if they need it during these times, to tend to their other responsibilities.

Recognize good work

Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work is a key factor in boosting engagement among your telecommuting employees. Employee recognition can take many different forms, but the main goal is to incentivize continued productivity and dedication from your employees.

For example, you could send out a team- or company-wide email detailing what an employee did and why it’s exceptional. If you want to offer a reward for their excellent work, consider sending an electronic gift card for a local restaurant or delivery service.

Sometimes, recognition doesn’t need to be formal or grand for it to be effective. A personal thank-you email or message can go a long way in making employees feel valued and engaged while they work from home.

Encourage work-life balance

Remote employees may have difficulty establishing a healthy work-life balance. Because there may not be a physical separation between their workspace and their personal space, employees may feel like they need to be available for work 24/7, which can lead to unnecessary stress and, eventually, burnout.

You should communicate the importance of creating boundaries with your employees. Suggest that they work their regular hours and then step away from their computer until it’s time to start working the next day.

Demonstrate a collaborative culture

Employees tend to be more engaged when they feel like they’re part of a team. When they’re working from home, it can be hard for them to buy into that mentality. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to make sure that employees understand that even though you may not be in the office together, you’re all still working toward the same common goal.

Consider sending out regular communications reminding your team that you’re there to help them meet any deadlines or provide any assistance while they work from home. Leveraging technology in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic can help keep employees healthy while they do their job from home.

By following the above tips, your organization can help to keep remote employees engaged, productive, and motivated during the pandemic.