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Edmund Khoury

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The global pandemic has brought increasing concerns for industries around the world and employees on furlough is one such aspect of increasing concern. Which is why we have come up with a few ways that estate agencies can keep furloughed staff motivated during these tough times.

Explain the Situation & Open Communication Lines

It is important to ensure that furloughed staff understand the reasons for these changes in your agency. Be as transparent as possible and explain why they are being furloughed, the increased responsibilities on the remaining staff and provide guidance on furlough, benefits and reintegration.

Similarly, be open for communication and provide furloughed staff with ample channels for communication, engagement and to stay updated with current agency developments. This will help keep furloughed staff motivated by keeping them in the loop on developments.

Pro Tip: Do not allow any communication between clients and furloughed staff to avoid legal claims of unpaid work.

Offer Development Opportunities

During furlough, employees may find themselves without a sense of purpose, which is why it is a great time to offer them opportunities to develop their skill set. Estate agencies can offer furloughed staff online courses such as the NAEA Propertymark qualification or Estate Agency Diploma.

Stay in Touch

It is very important to stay in touch, show empathy and provide mental and emotional support to furloughed staff. Personalize your communication with individual staff members and make their importance to the agency known.

They want to be heard and feel that they matter to your agency. Listen carefully to what they say and provide support wherever possible. Effective communication will keep them motivated and retain good performers for longer.

Conclusion

These are tough times for furloughed staff, and it is your job as an employer to keep them motivated and engaged during these times. Estate agencies can benefit greatly by opening communication channels, staying in touch and offering development opportunities to furloughed staff.