Despite the decline of COVID-19, today’s globalized and digital business landscape is witnessing a shift towards the adoption of a distributed workforce model. It’s predicted that by 2028, as many as 73% of businesses will have remote workers. While this workforce model offers benefits such as cost savings and flexibility, it can pose challenges when it comes to nurturing a strong corporate culture.

As the CEO and Founder of a company headquartered in Ukraine, I have firsthand experience leading a remote team, which has been made even more challenging due to not only the COVID-19 pandemic but also a full-scale war.

On the first day of the invasion, I was sure of nothing but one thing: If my team withstood this crisis, the company would keep thriving, too. After a year of full-scale war, both BetterMe’s financial and headcount growth were 20%. My team remained strong despite remote work, power outages, the mental health burden, and the constant influx of bad news that the war brought daily.

How to Connect a Disconnected Workforce?
The key to success lies in creating a healthy workplace environment. However, it’s important to recognize that it’s not solely about providing gym memberships or organizing team-building events. Instead, it’s about fostering a culture of well-being within the organization.

Investing in employee well-being is not just an expenditure; it’s a strategic investment in building a resilient and highly effective team. This holds true even during the most challenging times, such as times of war.

However, in today’s rapidly evolving work landscape, marked by the proliferation of remote work, the well-being of employees has become a critical concern for organizations. Thus, according to research, healthcare is one of the top 5 frustrations of remote workers. And it’s important to note that these frustrations extend beyond just health insurance coverage. It involves establishing a well-being-focused environment that addresses the holistic health of employees, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional aspects.

From my own experience, I’m convinced that when employees perceive that their well-being is being taken into account, they are more likely to stay with the company for longer periods of time. As a result, maintaining high employee retention rates leads to reduced recruitment and training expenses, ultimately resulting in a more seasoned and tightly-knit team. It’s clear that we should foster a “people-first” culture.

So, the question is, how can we establish a remote workplace that provides the necessary support and ensures employees feel safe seeking it?

Set the Tone for a Healthy Work Culture
Simply stating that you support mental well-being and a healthy work-life balance is insufficient if your actions don’t align with your words. By demonstrating these values yourself, you empower your staff to prioritize self-care and set boundaries without guilt or hesitation.

Comprehend the requirements and concerns of your employees
Establish open and transparent communication channels where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Encourage them to speak up and provide feedback on their work environment, workload, and any challenges they might be facing.

Also, setting up regular meetings between employees and their managers can be highly beneficial. These check-ins should go beyond discussing work-related tasks and projects. Managers should actively inquire about their employees’ well-being, both personally and professionally. These discussions can help identify any stressors or issues that might be affecting their work.

Strength Your Team Bonds with Corporate Wellness Programs
Corporate wellness programs stand out as the foremost and most comprehensive holistic tool for enhancing the overall well-being of remote workers. However, it is crucial to recognize that employees come from diverse backgrounds and have unique needs. That’s why employers must implement a corporate wellness program tailored to the individual needs of each employee.

BetterMe’s experience highlights that crises can serve as both hurdles and drivers of growth. By investing in leadership development programs that prioritize wellness and resilience, companies empower their leaders to steer business expansion. 

Now, BetterMe is eager to share our corporate wellness experiences worldwide through BetterMe for Business, a corporate wellness program that offers customized physical and mental health support, fostering a healthy, thriving, and unstoppable workforce. It caters to a wide range of individuals, from fitness newcomers to experts, spanning across generations and diverse needs, including people with disabilities, expectant mothers, and those with diabetes, among others.

Investing in the well-being of employees is not just a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment that aligns with the company’s culture. This investment may take time to yield its full benefits, but it’s a testament to a company’s dedication to its most valuable asset — its people.