The way we work has changed for good. Remote and hybrid setups are becoming the norm which means businesses can have employees globally. This shift gives companies in the Philippines access to a wider talent pool and allows employees to work with greater flexibility. However, it also presents new challenges for managers trying to keep teams productive, connected, and motivated.
Getting it right requires more than good intentions. You need the right approach and the right tools. Here are ten practical tips from a trusted CRM provider in the Philippines to help you successfully manage remote workers and hybrid teams.
1. Make onboarding and offboarding seamless
Efficiently onboarding new hires remotely can be challenging. Software like, Zoho People simplifies this process with its onboarding module, allowing HR teams to create customized onboarding workflows. New employees can complete necessary paperwork, access training materials, and get acquainted with company policies from anywhere.
Similarly, the offboarding process is streamlined, ensuring that all exit formalities are completed smoothly, regardless of the employee’s location.
2. Set Clear Expectations and Goals
Without face-to-face interactions, assumptions can derail productivity. Set clear expectations about work hours, deadlines, and performance standards from day one.
Be specific. Does your team need to be available during core hours, or can they work asynchronously? What does success look like for each role? Clear goals prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone aligned.
You can use cloud-based human resource software like Zoho People to achieve this. To align your team, use goal-setting frameworks like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Zoho People’s Performance Management System makes it easy to define objectives, track progress, and ensure moves in the same direction.
3. Focus on Output, Not Hours
The best way to manage remote employees effectively is to avoid micromanaging them. Resist the urge to track every minute your team is online. Instead, measure success by outcomes. Give your team the freedom to manage their time as long as they deliver results.
Trusting employees to complete their work fosters accountability and reduces burnout. This approach also accommodates different work styles—some people thrive early in the morning, while others do their best work at night.
Zoho People’s Timesheet and Attendance System tracks work hours without micromanaging. You get visibility, and your team gets flexibility. Here’s how it works:
Remote Attendance Management: Zoho People’s attendance module allows employees to clock in and out from anywhere using their mobile devices. The system uses geolocation and IP restrictions to ensure accuracy and prevent time theft.
Timesheets and Project Management: With integrated timesheets, employees can log their hours against specific projects or tasks. This is particularly useful for remote teams working on various projects, as it provides visibility into how time is spent and aids in project management.
4. Prioritize Regular Check-ins
Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Another way to manage remote teams is to check on them regularly. Regular check-ins keep everyone aligned and help you catch issues early. Schedule daily stand-ups, weekly one-on-ones, or team huddles to maintain open lines of communication.
These meetings aren’t just about status updates—they’re a chance to build rapport, understand individual challenges, and ensure your team feels supported.
5. Support Employee Well-being
Remote work can blur the boundaries between work and personal life, leading to burnout. Encourage your team to take breaks and respect work-life boundaries. Let them know it’s okay to log off after work hours.
Consider implementing mental health days or wellness programs. Simple check-ins such as “How are you doing?” can significantly impact the situation.
And if your employee wants to take time off, don’t let filing be a hassle for them. Zoho People’s Leave Management System allows employees to request time off easily. You can monitor leave balances and ensure workloads stay balanced across the team.
6. Build Trust Through Transparency
Trust is the foundation of how to manage remote employees effectively. Be transparent about business goals, challenges, and performance expectations. In return, expect your team to be honest about their progress and roadblocks.
Share company updates regularly and be open about changes. When your team understands the bigger picture, they will feel more connected to the organization’s success.
7. Empower Employees with Self-service Tools
Reduce unnecessary back-and-forth by giving employees the power to manage administrative tasks independently. This prevents bottlenecks and promotes autonomy.
From updating personal details to accessing company policies, employees should be able to handle routine tasks without waiting for HR. Consider using a platform that lets employees update their records, access company policies, and submit requests without involving HR in every little thing.
8. Create Clear Processes
Ambiguity can slow remote teams down. To manage remote workers, businesses can standardize processes like approvals, project handoffs, and feedback loops. Documenting processes ensures everyone knows the steps to follow, even when working independently.
Automation can also reduce friction. For example, automating your company’s approval workflows minimizes delays and ensures accountability.
9. Use Data to Improve Performance
Learning how to manage remote teams requires a deeper understanding of data. Data helps you make informed decisions about performance, workload distribution, and employee satisfaction.
Track metrics like productivity, absenteeism, and task completion rates. Patterns often reveal issues early—such as an employee struggling with their workload or a process causing delays. To help you with this, consider leveraging Zoho People’s HR Analytics. Zoho People offers powerful analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into various HR metrics. Managers can access real-time data on attendance, performance, employee engagement, and more, enabling informed decision-making. Additionally, customizable reports allow HR teams to tailor analytics to their specific needs, providing a deeper understanding of workforce trends and helping to identify areas for improvement.
10. Invest in Training and Development
Continuous learning is essential for remote and hybrid teams. It keeps your workforce engaged and ready for future challenges. You can do this by offering virtual training sessions, skill development programs, or industry webinars. Zoho can help you with that.
Zoho People’s learning management system allows HR teams to create and deliver online training programs, track employee progress, and assess learning outcomes. The platform also supports skill assessments and development plans, helping employees acquire new skills and advance their careers, even while working remotely.
Remember, investing in your team’s growth increases retention and builds capabilities for long-term success.
11. Recognize and Reward Good Work
Recognition matters even more when you don’t see your team every day. Celebrate milestones, acknowledge achievements, and reinforce positive behavior. A simple “thank you” can boost morale, but formal recognition programs amplify the impact. Publicly highlighting top performers fosters a culture of appreciation and motivates others.
Transform Your Workforce Management
Although managing remote workers and hybrid teams has its own set of difficulties, these can be successfully overcome with the correct resources. With Zoho People, you can improve workforce management wherever your employees are in the world.
It can help you with:
- Attendance Tracking
- Performance Management
- Leave Management
- HR Analytics
- Query and Feedback Tools
- Customizable Workflows
- Learning Management System
- Employee Recognition
Wondering where you can get access to Zoho People? Devtac is a Zoho implementation partner trusted by businesses to implement and customize Zoho solutions. If you’re ready to streamline your remote and hybrid team management, we can tailor Zoho People to your needs.
Get in touch with Devtac today and take the first step toward smarter workforce management.
