Recent studies indicate that remote work leads to increased employee engagement. One may think that someone untethered by an office may have an aloof stance where employee loyalty and engagement is concerned, but it appears the opposite is true.

Remote work options allow employees to work around their day-to-day lives beyond the standard 9-to-5 work cycle. This fluidity offers employees the chance to engage in work activities when it best suits their day, which advances increased engagement, and, therefore, allows them greater flexibility to tend to their personal and family needs.

Based on a Gallup survey of 15,000 American employees, 43% say they spent at least some time working remotely in the past year. Among the remote workers, 31% say they work outside the office four to five days per week, an increase from 24% in 2012, and 20% work full-time from home.

Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report also indicates that the “sweet spot” of working off-site to boost engagement is 60% to 80%, significantly higher than the reality of those surveyed.

Workers are looking for more remote jobs, and the good news is that FlexJobs has seen a 52% surge in telecommute-friendly jobs. An engaged workforce translates to a stable, reliable delivery to customers, and savings for an employer who might otherwise have to retrain for the same positions over and over.

But how can remote employees remain engaged when they work outside the office?

How Remote Work Can Increase Employee Engagement

1. Remote employees want a clear description of what’s expected of them.

Six out of 10 employees surveyed find this to be an important rule of engagement. According to the Gallup report, if this ratio were eight out of 10, employers would see a 14% reduction in turnover, 20% reduction in safety incidents, and a 7% increase in productivity.

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2. Obtaining the correct materials and equipment needed to perform their jobs well will keep employees feeling engaged and important.

Not having the right materials or equipment is one of the highest employee stressors.

3. Remote workers want a role that best suits them and allows them to do what they’re good at.

Employees should work with their employer to find the role that plays to their strengths, which will greatly benefit both parties.

4. Praise and recognition for a job well done is important for increased employee engagement.

Good employees who don’t feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to leave the company within the next year. Outstanding employees are looking for individualized recognition.

5. Personal contact with a supervisor or coworker is also important.

Engaged employees want someone from the office to care about them as a person, which eliminates the feeling of just being a number.

6. Having an office touchstone who nurtures and encourages a remote employee’s development is equally important.

The Gallup data shows that a lack of development and career growth is the primary reason an employee will leave a job.

7. Remote employees still want to feel their opinion counts regarding company matters.

Look for a workplace that promotes open, creative dialogue.

8. A strong mission statement that aligns with the employee’s values is key.

Employees need to believe in what the company does. Feeling that the company has a higher purpose energizes employees and increases engagement.

9. Coworkers doing quality work is also important to engaged employees.

According to the Gallup results, the worst performer on the team sets the team’s standards. The more engaged and committed each member of the team, the more productive and satisfied each worker will be.

10. Remote employees find it important to have camaraderie with fellow employees and having a best friend at work increases engagement.

Having a close friend at work, even if you work remotely, will give you a strong sense of belonging.

11. Discussions of work progress, as frequently as within the past six months, is key to the engagement process.

When applying for positions, discuss with a potential employer how they evaluate progress and how often it’s discussed. This can be important to remain engaged.

12. Opportunities for training and growth are also critical to keep remote employees engaged.

Career growth and training is a natural course for a valued employee. Seek out opportunities to gain more knowledge in your profession, knowing this will help you to remain focused.