Creative Ways to Engage Remote Employees with Lisa Snow

In 2025, it is estimated that over 32 million Americans, nearly 22% of the workforce, will work remotely. Today, over 98% of Americans express a desire to work remotely, even on a part-time basis. This significant shift highlights the importance of keeping remote employees engaged.

In the latest episode of HR Leadership Lessons, I have an insightful conversation with Lisa Snow, founder of On the Mend Fitness, who shares her expertise on maintaining engagement through wellness activities in remote and hybrid workplaces.

Watch the full interview here:

The past few years have seen a dramatic increase in remote work, driven by technological advancements and changing workforce preferences. Remote work offers flexibility and convenience, but it also presents unique challenges for employee engagement.

Lisa, with her background in employee wellness and her experience on Wall Street, has witnessed the mental and physical tolls of traditional office settings. She notes that today's remote and hybrid work environments pose even greater challenges in maintaining employee interaction and wellness.

Employee wellness has evolved from focusing solely on physical health to encompassing mental health, community building, and a sense of belonging. Traditional wellness programs often included biometric screenings and health fairs, but modern programs now prioritize holistic well-being.

Lisa emphasizes the importance of addressing employees' sense of belonging and their interpersonal connections. This broader definition of wellness goes beyond physical health to ensure employees feel cared for and connected.

Before launching a wellness program, it is crucial to understand what your employees already enjoy and what they need. Conducting a needs assessment helps tailor the program to suit their preferences and schedules.

Lisa recommends finding out employees' existing activities and interests. Whether they enjoy golfing, walking their dogs, or gardening, aligning wellness activities with their interests increases participation and enjoyment.

Creating beginner-friendly wellness activities ensures inclusivity. With only about 24% of Americans meeting exercise recommendations, it's important to make programs accessible to all fitness levels.

Lisa suggests offering classes at convenient times and ensuring they cater to all fitness levels. Including sedentary employees and making them feel comfortable is essential for a successful wellness program.

Measuring the effectiveness of wellness programs involves tracking participation and collecting feedback from employees. Regular check-ins and surveys help gauge engagement and make necessary adjustments.

Lisa emphasizes the importance of continuous feedback from HR leaders and employees. Regular engagement surveys and benchmarking before and after implementing wellness programs provide valuable insights for improvement.

Wellness programs can also serve as team-building activities, fostering relationships among remote employees. Shared activities and discussions help build a sense of community and improve overall morale.

Lisa shares examples of remote companies using wellness activities like chair stretches and lunch-and-learns to encourage interaction and problem-solving among employees. These activities help employees connect on a personal level, reducing workplace tension.

As remote and hybrid work environments continue to evolve, prioritizing employee wellness and engagement is essential. By understanding employees' needs, offering inclusive activities, and continuously measuring engagement, HR leaders can create effective wellness programs that enhance remote employees' overall well-being.

If you have questions or need further advice on implementing wellness programs, connect with Lisa Snow on LinkedIn. Engaging remote employees through creative wellness initiatives can significantly improve their work experience and overall satisfaction.

Lisa Snow is the founder of On the Mend, which provides Employee Wellness programs on Zoom nationwide. HR leaders, are you worried about turnover? Struggling with engagement? Ready for your staff to feel like a team again? On the Mend helps teams of remote and hybrid workers come together through fitness and fun.

--Lunch & Learn interactive webinars

--Stretch & Chat, Yoga, and Fitness classes

--Gift boxes of home exercise equipment

They make people of all ages and fitness levels feel included. On the Mend handles all the scheduling, launch, and internal promotion so you can get back to business. While open to ANY size companies, they focus on those with 20-200 employees.

Connect with Lisa Online:

https://onthemendwellness.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-snow-nyc/