How to Rise Above 38% Remote Employee Engagement

Remote work has become a permanent feature of the modern workplace, offering flexibility and access to a broader talent pool. However, Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace report reveals that only 38% of remote employees are actively engaged in their work. This figure presents a challenge and an opportunity for organizations that aim to thrive in a distributed, digital-first environment.

Understanding the Remote Engagement Gap

Before implementing any solutions, it is important to understand the specific factors that contribute to low engagement among remote employees. These challenges are often interconnected and can significantly affect motivation, performance, and retention.

• Isolation and Loneliness – Lack of casual interaction can lead to a sense of disconnection.
• Communication Breakdowns – Inconsistent or unclear communication often leaves remote employees feeling excluded.
• Unclear Goals and Impact – Employees may struggle to see how their work contributes to organizational objectives.
• Limited Recognition and Visibility – Remote employees can feel their efforts go unnoticed.
• Weak Team Cohesion – Building relationships virtually requires more intentionality.
• Work-Life Imbalance – Without boundaries, burnout becomes more likely.
• Reduced Access to Growth – Opportunities for development may be unevenly distributed.

Recognizing and addressing these root causes lays the foundation for building a more engaged, supported, and high-performing remote workforce.

Proven Strategies to Boost Remote Employee Engagement

Improving remote employee engagement requires a thoughtful combination of communication, support, recognition, and development. The following strategies provide a structured approach to creating a more connected and motivated remote workforce.

Foster Meaningful and Consistent Communication

Create a communication framework that keeps employees informed, aligned, and supported through regular updates, check-ins, and accessible leadership.

• Define communication protocols for different platforms (e.g., Slack, email, video calls).
• Schedule regular one-on-ones and team check-ins.
• Maintain transparency on company updates.
• Promote a virtual open-door policy with leadership.

Open, consistent communication builds trust and helps remote employees stay connected and confident in their roles.

Cultivate a Sense of Belonging

Intentionally build a culture of inclusion and camaraderie to reduce isolation and strengthen team identity across remote settings.

• Organize virtual team-building activities and informal gatherings.
• Encourage inclusive meeting practices and cross-functional collaboration.
• Establish mentorship or buddy programs to support new employees.

Fostering belonging reinforces a positive remote culture where people feel valued and included.

Clarify Goals, Expectations, and Impact

Ensure employees understand their individual objectives and how their work contributes to the broader organizational mission.

• Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.
• Collaborate on goal-setting to align individual and organizational priorities.
• Offer regular, constructive feedback and celebrate milestones.

Clear goals and shared purpose enable employees to stay focused, motivated, and aligned.

Recognize and Reward Contributions

Acknowledging effort and accomplishments increases motivation and helps remote employees feel seen and appreciated.

• Use digital platforms for public and peer recognition.
• Customize rewards such as gift cards, wellness stipends, or learning opportunities.

Recognition reinforces positive behavior and drives ongoing engagement and performance.

Support Well-Being and Flexibility

Promote a healthy work-life balance by respecting personal boundaries and providing tools to support overall wellness.

• Promote flexible schedules and respect for personal time.
• Provide access to wellness resources, including mental health tools.
• Focus on performance outcomes, not micromanagement.

Supporting well-being helps employees remain productive, balanced, and resilient in a remote setting.

Invest in Professional Growth

Demonstrate commitment to employee development by providing opportunities for skill-building and career advancement.

• Offer virtual learning options and access to certifications.
• Share clear advancement pathways.
• Provide challenging assignments and access to mentors.

Professional development shows employees they are valued and encourages long-term commitment.

Leverage Technology for Connection

Utilize digital tools to facilitate collaboration, communication, recognition, and engagement in a seamless and integrated way.

• Use platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Asana, or Assembly for collaboration and recognition.
• Conduct regular engagement surveys to monitor sentiment.
• Utilize interactive virtual event tools for team-building.

The right tools can strengthen connection, improve workflows, and enhance the remote experience.

Measure, Iterate, and Celebrate Progress

Make engagement efforts sustainable by tracking results, acting on insights, and recognizing progress along the way.

• Track engagement scores, retention rates, and productivity.
• Act on feedback from surveys and share updates.
• Publicize team and individual successes to build momentum.

Regular measurement and recognition keep engagement efforts focused, responsive, and motivating.

Measuring Success

To ensure engagement strategies are effective, organizations must track progress through consistent and meaningful measurement. This helps identify what is working, what needs improvement, and how employee sentiment evolves over time.

• Pulse Surveys and eNPS – Regular, concise surveys to gauge morale and engagement levels.
• Retention and Productivity Metrics – Track employee turnover and work performance to assess long-term engagement.
• Qualitative Feedback – Use exit interviews, open feedback channels, and one-on-one conversations to gather deeper insights.

Combining quantitative data with qualitative insights offers a more complete picture of employee engagement and enables informed, adaptive decision-making.

Real-World Impact

Organizations that implement these strategies have reported increased engagement, reduced turnover, and more resilient cultures—even in fully remote setups. Sustained success requires treating engagement as an ongoing process rather than a one-off initiative.

Improving remote employee engagement beyond 38% is achievable. By addressing common challenges with deliberate and inclusive strategies, organizations can foster a workplace where remote employees feel valued, involved, and empowered to perform at their best.

Ready to transform your remote employee engagement?

Assembly can help recognize contributions, collect feedback, and build a more connected remote culture. Schedule a demo with Assembly today and learn how to exceed the 38% engagement benchmark and empower your remote team.

FAQs

What is the average remote employee engagement rate?

Approximately 38%, per Gallup’s 2023 findings.

What are the primary challenges to remote engagement?

Isolation, inconsistent communication, lack of recognition, unclear objectives, and limited professional development.

What strategies improve remote engagement?

Focus on communication, recognition, well-being, professional development, and digital tools.

How is remote engagement measured?

Through pulse surveys, eNPS, retention data, productivity metrics, and qualitative feedback.