Let’s face it—working from home isn’t all sweatpants and flexible schedules. And, we are seeing remote positions and opportunities waning in the face of the sweeping “Return to Work” wave. But what does that have to do with remote employee wellness programs?
Sure, skipping the commute is nice, but rest assured, remote life brings its own set of headaches, especially when it comes to staying healthy. The water cooler chats and lunchtime walks are gone, replaced by endless Zoom calls and a kitchen that’s way too close.
If you want your remote crew to stay healthy (and not burn out), your wellness programs are a great place to start. That’s where companies like WellSteps come in. Our platform isn’t just another box to check—it’s a full-blown wellness toolkit, built with remote teams in mind.
Our data-driven approach helps everyone, from the fitness junkies to the folks who think “downward dog” is just how their pet stretches. But, what if you are not ready to jump into a full program, just yet? Don’t worry, we still want to help! Keep reading to see how you can engage remote workers in wellness.
How Do You Actually Keep Remote Employees Healthy?
First, you need to get real about the obstacles:
- No face-to-face makes it tough to do things like biometric screenings or group yoga sessions.
- The missing social buzz means less motivation and no one to nudge you into that lunchtime walk.
- Organizing “togetherness” is hard when everyone’s scattered across time zones.
- And let’s not sugarcoat it—too much isolation can mess with your head.
These are just a few. Here is how you can tackle these and others:
6 Ways to Actually Make Wellness Work for Remote Teams
Bring Others Along for the Ride
It’s easier to eat salad or get your steps in when your spouse, child, pet, neighbor or roommate is doing it too. WellSteps lets employees invite friends and family to join the program for free. The more, the merrier—and the more likely you’ll actually stick with it.
Go Team-First, Even Remotely
Just because you’re not sharing an office doesn’t mean you can’t compete. WellSteps runs challenges like Move It Coast to Coast, where teams rack up steps together, even if they’re miles apart. Leaderboards and group chats keep the friendly smack talk (and encouragement) flowing.
Make Everything Virtual
Technology is your friend here. Wellness webinars, online fitness classes, and uploading your doctor’s numbers instead of lining up for a screening—remote employees can do it all without leaving home. Points for participation? Still very much a thing.
Reward Flexibility
Not everyone’s a runner or a yogi, so WellSteps lets employees earn rewards however they want—wearable devices, stress-busting activities, webinars, and more. The point is to keep the program open to all, not just the usual suspects.
Don’t Ignore Mental Health
Working solo can turn into a lonely grind. WellSteps doesn’t just focus on steps and salads—they offer resources for stress, sleep, and mindfulness. It’s about helping people set boundaries and find a little peace in their day.
Get a Platform That Works
Managing wellness for a remote team needs a digital home base. WellSteps ties everything together in one spot. It’s how you make sure no one falls through the cracks.
Why Bother with Remote Wellness, Anyway?
Healthy employees don’t just cost less—they get more done and actually enjoy their jobs. That’s doubly true when everyone’s remote. With the right programs and a little creativity, remote teams can be just as healthy (and happy) as their in-office counterparts.
Real-life Case
At a mid-sized tech company with a fully remote workforce, the HR and wellness teams recognized the need to keep their employees engaged, connected, and supported, no matter where they worked. They launched a company-wide wellness challenge that included everyone, but with special emphasis on engaging their remote team. Every Monday, the remote team gathered for a short, high-energy “Team Rally” webinar where they shared progress, celebrated wins, and offered encouragement. Their team was so successful that they won, and the company was sure to get a team winner t-shirt sent to each remote employee’s home.
Remote employees were also given a seat at the wellness committee table to ensure their needs and ideas were represented, which made a huge difference in the relevance and impact of wellness initiatives.
In addition to inclusive planning, the company sent targeted wellness tips and challenge updates specifically for remote staff—like ergonomic workspace ideas, virtual workout resources, and mental health check-in reminders. These personalized touches, combined with consistent communication and visibility, helped remote employees feel valued and connected. As a result, remote participation in wellness campaigns doubled, and overall employee satisfaction scores among remote staff saw a noticeable boost.
Take the Leap: Make Wellness a Priority for Your Remote Team
Your remote employees deserve more than a generic wellness memo. Build a program that fits their lives and watch the results show up in morale, productivity, and, yes, your bottom line. Curious how WellSteps can help? Sign up for a free demo and see what a modern wellness program can do for your team.