Employee wellbeing enables people to develop their potential, work productively, form positive relationships and contribute meaningfully. With the rise of remote work, employers need intentional ways to support happiness through social connection, physical health and mental health. This first part focuses on strengthening social connection across distributed teams.
Social connection
Social connection can be difficult to foster when employees are not working in the same place, but a sense of community remains essential. Connected coworkers tend to feel happier, hold one another accountable and feel more comfortable asking questions or seeking a second opinion.
The result can be better, more efficient work and a healthier team culture. A few simple routines can help remote colleagues build genuine relationships.
Have weekly non-business check-ins
Add a brief personal check-in to an existing weekly meeting. Ask a thoughtful or playful question—such as what someone has learned recently, what they are excited about or which new habit they would like to form—to spark genuine conversation.
Encourage everyone to turn on video and ask the question at the beginning rather than the end. Seeing one another’s faces increases engagement, while opening with conversation creates an upbeat tone before the team moves into business.
Create a team or company challenge
Shared challenges give coworkers something positive to bond over beyond work. Step, heart-rate, virtual workout and sleep challenges can encourage healthy habits while friendly competition, rewards and leaderboards keep people engaged.
Remote employees can participate on their own schedule, making company-wide fitness challenges an inclusive way to improve physical health and social connection at the same time.
Set up a virtual water cooler
Create a dedicated space where coworkers can discuss life, current events and interests unrelated to work. A chat channel or regular virtual coffee break gives remote employees a natural place to connect and can reduce loneliness and isolation.
Closing thoughts
Employee wellbeing affects every part of a business. Improving one element of wellbeing can support the others, so continue taking small, practical steps that help employees build better social, physical and mental health.
Start with one idea—an opening question, a team challenge or a virtual coffee break—and make it a consistent part of how your remote team works together.