As a manager, you probably think you have more than enough work to do to keep you engaged, and you’d like to believe your employees are in the same boat—always busy, and never bored at work.
However, boredom creeps into almost every workplace, even when employees enjoy flexible work options like telecommuting.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help your team members stay excited about their jobs, whether they’re in the office or working from home.
Here are eight specific suggestions to boost engagement and make sure your employees aren’t bored at work:
1. If you don’t already offer flexibility, start to do so.
By letting people shift their hours, telecommute a day or two each week, or explore other flexible work options, you give them a change of pace and scenery. Even if they’re doing the same work, those differences should rejuvenate them and keep them interested in daily tasks.
2. Look for opportunities to automate.
Discover a better way to recruit remote talent
Founded in 2007, FlexJobs is the most experienced remote & hybrid hiring platform.
- Unlimited job posts
- Low, flat membership fee
- Access top-level remote advice
- Unlimited resume searches
- Reach the right candidates
- And so much more!
If your workers are bogged down in repetitive tasks that are important, but boring, look for opportunities to spare them the agony. Is there a particular piece of office equipment or software you could purchase that would allow you to automate some of that work and break the monotony? A small up-front investment could pay big dividends in employee motivation and morale.
3. Game the system.
Try to create games or competitions around more mundane duties. That won’t make the jobs any more fun, but it will add a different type of motivation to help people push through and get them done. The reward for the winner doesn’t have to be much—a small gift card or other token is usually enough. The key is to make sure the game itself is fun and engaging.
4. Keep in touch.
This is especially important if you’re trying to keep remote workers engaged. While it’s easy to see someone in the next cubicle yawning or zoning out, you don’t have that luxury for an employee who is hundreds of miles away. Remember to check in often to see how people are doing and how they feel about their work. You may also want to use frequent engagement surveys as a more formal way to check the collective pulse of your organization.
5. Increase responsibility.
Some people get bored at work because the tasks they have simply aren’t challenging enough. While almost every job has tasks that are far from exciting—think of completing a monthly expense report or approving workers’ timecards—everyone wants to feel they are contributing in a meaningful way. Give people duties that let them stretch to the limits of their abilities, and you’re likely to chase boredom away.
6. Don’t skimp on training and development.
Along with giving more responsibility, show your workers that you want them to grow in their jobs by providing opportunities for training and development. When they believe their managers genuinely care about their careers, workers are likely to be more motivated and engaged, even if they’re facing some boring tasks. In addition to formal skills training, consider offering occasional lifestyle or hobby classes to let your workers clear their minds and rejuvenate their spirits. And make sure this training is available to both remote and in-office workers.
7. Show your gratitude.
Every employee likes to be recognized when they do a job right. By offering frequent, sincere praise and encouragement, you not only improve their motivation and happiness at work, but you also create an opportunity to make sure they’re feeling engaged and interested.
8. Take a break and have some fun!
This may seem obvious, but it’s important that you set the example as a manager. Instead of holing up in your office, make a point of breaking away in the afternoon for a walk around the block, inviting your team members to join you. Spend time strolling among team members’ cubicles, and if you can see someone’s attention waning, engage them in a few minutes of fun conversation. Or, for remote workers, send a quick instant message asking them how they’re doing and encouraging them to step away from the computer screen for a few minutes to play with a pet. If a day of drudgery is punctuated by enjoyable breaks, it will help people overcome boredom and stay on target.
Remember, you feel happier and more engaged as a manager when you’re busy with, challenged by, and interested in your work. Your employees are no different, whether they’re sitting in the next cubicle or working from home. Follow these simple steps and you’ll help them avoid the boredom that could distract them from what should be a productive, enjoyable workday.
And no matter where your team members are located—on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid arrangement—FlexJobs is here to help you keep them engaged with their work. Discover a better way to recruit remote talent with FlexJobs!
Learn More
Don't forget to share this article with colleagues!
