6 ways to establish workplace culture in a remote environment

A strong workplace culture is valuable for all businesses, regardless of size, industry or any other factor. Establishing common values and expectations helps staff understand their responsibilities, while team-building exercises and more casual gatherings build a sense of camaraderie.

A strong workplace culture also means everyone is on the same page, but many traditional methods of building that understanding rely on face-to-face interactions and the expectation of a shared office environment. What can your organization do to better establish workplace culture in a completely or partially remote working environment?

Prioritizing digital solutions for building workplace culture

A PwC survey of U.S. executives conducted in June 2020 found broad support for the transition to largely remote work, with 83% saying the change was a success. And only 21% believe staff should fully return to the office - following the traditional five-day, in-office work week - after the pandemic subsides. It's clear that working from home will likely become more common going forward.

Digital systems designed expressly for virtual collaboration and engagement can go a long way toward building culture as staff continue to work from home in the long term. When it's not possible or practical to bring everyone together physically, project management tools, videoconferencing services and even simple chat programs offer an opportunity to engage everyone. The right combination of solutions can address formal needs, like an annual company meeting or one-on-one review between supervisor and employee, along with informal ones, like building familiarity and understanding between staff members.

Our infographic, "Establishing workplace culture in a remote environment," offers more specific guidance around many types of technology that can help build workplace culture. Check it out below.