On an average working day in America, only one in three employees are fully engaged with their job. That's according to the latest data from Gallup, which shows that average engagement spiked during the pandemic, but is now back at normal levels. And, in most offices, normal is bad.

Keeping hold of your best staff has always been a challenge. Experienced managers have a whole toolkit of techniques they use to identify retention risks and minimize staff turnover rates. But those techniques often involve face-to-face contact with the team. What happens when you’re trying to manage a group of remote workers?

American gymnast Simone Biles made headlines during the Tokyo Olympics by unexpectedly withdrawing from several events because of concerns about her mental health. Earlier in 2021, tennis star Namoi Osaka pulled out of the French Open, also citing mental health concerns.

Over the past 18 months, the companies I work with have done a remarkably impressive job of adjusting to the so-called New Normal of remote work, hybrid teams, and Zoom meetings. But there’s one issue that seems to come up time and time again. Whenever I discuss recruitment, the first thing they say is often, “I can’t wait to go back to in-person interviews.”

Strong team culture can be the fine line between success and failure. But in an age of remote and hybrid teams and remote workers, cultural cohesion can seem like a bigger challenge than ever. Fortunately, you’ve got one secret weapon on your side: your HR team.

Unemployment rates are at an all-time high, which might make you think that employers hold all the cards in today’s recruitment market. In fact, many businesses are finding it harder than ever to fill vacant positions, and competition is especially ferocious at a senior level. Landing a top-tier candidate is a real challenge that requires an airtight recruitment process.