The general workplace disconnect telecommuters experience becomes stronger during winter months. Fortunately, the human resources department can leverage policy changes and ongoing intervention strategies to improve remote worker morale continually.

1. Encourage Outdoor Breaks

According to research, the cold increases positive mental health outcomes in humans. Fortunately for remote workers, freezing air is abundant in winter months. Since low temperatures can immediately improve their well-being, HR professionals should encourage them to take short outdoor breaks.

While requiring employees to go outside is impossible, they can incentivize participation instead. For example, they can host a friendly step-tracking competition or an outdoor photo challenge. At the very least, informing everyone of the health benefits of short-term exposure to cold temperatures is wise.

2. Increase Remote Flexibility

Globally, it seems the workforce is slowly phasing out in-person offices. According to some estimates, remote work will increase by 8% by 2025. Since this rate shows no sign of slowing down, it’s a good time for the HR department to review and update their telecommuting policies.

Most employees are drawn to working from home because it gives them unparalleled flexibility, so they’ll appreciate having even more. While offering extra paid time off and longer breaks is a practical strategy, HR professionals should also consider adjusting their expectations.

Since productivity aligns with mental well-being, remote workers may not perform at their usual level. Instead of monitoring the time they spend at their desks or how often they appear online, more independence and schedule flexibility would be a welcome change.

3. Send a Winter Readiness Kit

Preparation is vital for keeping remote worker morale up during the colder months. To be proactive, HR professionals should consider sending a winter readiness kit. On top of being a thoughtful gesture, it helps keep people safe as the temperature drops.

The kit can contain things like cocoa packets, fuzzy socks, vitamin D gummies, hand warmers and gloves. It’s also helpful to include a small winter-themed desk decoration so employees have a reminder of the gesture. These things mentally prepare them for the seasonal transition. Moreover, the assortment of practical tools gives them a resource to draw on whenever they need a mental boost.

4. Simulate Summer Sunlight

Many people experience seasonal affective disorder — a form of depression — in winter. While the cause is still debatable, many researchers agree it has to do with a lack of sun exposure. After all, natural light sets the body’s circadian rhythm and the brain’s production of “happy” chemicals.

To maintain remote worker morale during winter, HR professionals can help employees simulate summertime sun exposure. For example, they can gift a light therapy lamp with at least 10,000 lux of light to mimic full daylight. It’s a helpful home office addition for people who sit at their desks all day, considering it can improve their moods and sleep schedules.

5. Celebrate and Motivate Workers

The HR department can raise remote worker morale by turning routine touchpoints into goal-setting sessions. Since winter is typically very bleak, experiencing personal growth can help substantially. Ongoing skill development is an excellent way to shift employees’ perspectives and motivate them.

HR professionals can use these brief, occasional meetings as opportunities to motivate everyone. In all likelihood, people will enjoy receiving new milestones and chances for career development. After all, nearly 70% of American workers want to retrain to learn new skills and progress in their professional lives.

6. Simulate Physical Engagement

Even though most workplaces hold virtual get-togethers for remote workers, a connection barrier still exists. After all, a screen can’t always replace a lack of in-person interaction. Although physically bringing everyone together is impossible, there is a quality alternative.

If the HR department wants to raise remote workers’ spirits, they should mail everyone something they can use to follow along in meetings. For example, they can send cocoa packets and a company mug for a Christmas movie watch party.

The process keeps remote workers in the moment, turning a regular meeting into a memorable experience. Although they may not share an in-person presence with their co-workers, a physical item connects them.

7. Establish Routine Check-Ins

If an organization doesn’t already routinely check in with remote workers, they should begin doing so during winter months. In most cases, a consistent touchpoint will improve an employee’s mood and connection to their workplace. It lets them deviate from their normal schedule and gives them something to look forward to.

Although these meetings are often about productivity levels, expectations or goal setting, the employee should get to discuss their week or share a personal anecdote. A moment of genuine connection like this is an uncommon opportunity for telecommuters.

8. Create a Virtual Water Cooler

Although touchpoints and team get-togethers can raise remote worker morale, limiting peoples’ contact with their co-workers to meetings effectively caps how connected they are with the workplace. While colleagues who see each other in person can trade jokes, share personal anecdotes and make small talk, people working from home can only professionally interact with others.

A virtual water cooler — an always-open digital space for casual conversations — allows remote workers to engage with others genuinely. It fosters stronger connections between co-workers, and can lift peoples’ spirits when they begin to feel lonely or isolated while working from home.

9. Schedule Connection Events

One multi-country study of nearly 12,000 people discovered social contact is among the top three driving factors behind declining well-being. It found 29.3% of remote workers experienced worsening mental health because of isolation.

A connection event — like a virtual game, lunch and learn, holiday party or competition — can raise remote worker morale since it fulfills their social needs. The HR department should organize bi-monthly get-togethers to ensure the amount of contact is adequate. Of course, it’s wise to make attendance mandatory, save for extenuating circumstances.

10. Set a Flexible Start Time

Although the days grow shorter in winter, many people keep their usual sleep schedules. As a result, they throw their circadian rhythm off balance, and experience restlessness, irritability and sadness. Even though the solution — a later start time — is clear, many workplaces arbitrarily stick to a strict 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

Admittedly, most jobs that can be done from home can begin later in the day with no real downsides. HR professionals should reconsider their current policies and try to be more accommodating. For instance, a clock-in window between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. ensures everyone can start their day well-rested and mentally sound.

Raising Remote Worker Morale Is an Ongoing Duty

Every day presents a new opportunity to raise remote worker morale. Since HR professionals act as the in-between for telecommuters and their workplace, they’re in a unique position to create substantial change.