AJ Johnson | Avidon Health

Author: AJ Johnson

AJ Johnson is the Business Operations Manager at Avidon Health, bringing over a decade of experience in optimizing business processes and fostering team collaboration in the public space and private sector. AJ holds a B.S. in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of North Georgia and has earned several certifications, including those in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of Georgia and the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. Outside of work, AJ enjoys dining at renowned restaurants with their wife, traveling, and playing soccer with their daughter.

Cultivating Connection: The Power of Corporate Wellness in Remote Work

In today’s increasingly remote workplace, fostering a sense of connection among employees is both a challenge and an opportunity. At Avidon Health, we’ve seen how a thoughtful approach to corporate wellness programs can help bridge the gap between screens and create a cohesive, engaged, and healthier workforce.

Here’s how companies can create meaningful connections and promote wellness, even in a fully remote environment:

1. Prioritize Whole-Person Wellness

Corporate wellness programs should address not just physical health but also mental, emotional, and social well-being. Simple initiatives like virtual mental health check-ins, flexible schedules, and access to wellness platforms can have a profound impact.

Leveraging tools already available in existing platforms can further enhance wellness efforts. For instance, Microsoft’s enterprise suite includes Viva Engage, a well-being tool that allows employees to manage their schedules more effectively by suggesting features like “no meeting” days or focus hours.

Don’t overlook resources tied to your group health insurance plans. Many companies already have access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which offer invaluable resources such as mental health support, financial counseling, and wellness coaching. These programs are often underutilized but can provide tremendous value for employees and their families.

2. Foster Connection Through Shared Experiences

Connection stems from shared experiences, even in virtual spaces. Hosting activities like virtual fitness challenges, online mindfulness sessions, or team events can cultivate camaraderie. For example, our team recently completed a 14-day challenge to consciously reduce our consumption of added sugars over Halloween, tracking our intake

and celebrating milestones together. Shared experiences like these reinforce a sense of unity across teams.

3. Celebrate Giving and Community Involvement

This summer, Avidon Health celebrated our Giving Week by organizing volunteer opportunities in areas with large employee populations. We also encouraged individuals to find local opportunities to volunteer, often inviting their friends and family. These activities connected employees to their communities and gave them shared experiences to discuss with colleagues. Volunteering is not just a chance to give back—it is a meaningful way to strengthen relationships within a team.

4. Encourage Open and Intentional Dialogue

For small companies, I recommend People Leaders and HR periodically check in with employees through established communication channels. These check-ins should feel informal and organic to build a habit of practicing connection. At larger companies, managers and directors should adopt this practice with their respective teams, ensuring no one feels left behind. Connection happens when communication is consistent and thoughtful.

5. Lead by Example

Leadership plays a crucial role in driving corporate wellness initiatives. Leaders who actively participate in wellness activities send a powerful message about their commitment to employee well-being. At Avidon Health, our leadership team embraces wellness, modeling healthy habits and encouraging employees to do the same.

6. Leverage Technology and Available Resources

Engaging remote employees requires creativity and the effective use of technology. Free or inexpensive tools for remote activities, such as customizable virtual team-building games, can promote connection and break the monotony of remote work. These activities are cost-effective, easy to set up, and can be tailored to fit your team’s interests.

In addition to team-building tools, explore other areas where valuable resources may already exist. For example, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are often included as part of group health insurance plans and provide access to services like licensed counseling, wellness advice, and crisis support. Benefit brokers can also be a great resource, offering insights into additional services or tools that might enhance employee well-being.

Don’t forget to check with your internal IT team, who often have a deep understanding of existing company technology offerings. They can collaborate with your People Operations & HR as well as team leaders to identify and implement solutions that improve employee connectedness and foster a more integrated and supportive remote work environment.

Why It Matters

Investing in corporate wellness programs isn’t just about reducing absenteeism or boosting productivity—it’s about creating a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and connected. Don’t be afraid to try new initiatives, even if they don’t work out as planned. Employees will appreciate seeing that you are genuinely trying to find what works best for your team, fostering trust and goodwill along the way.

At Avidon Health, we believe wellness programs are more than a perk; they’re a strategic initiative that aligns with our mission to inspire healthier, happier lives. By prioritizing connection and well-being, remote companies can create a workplace culture that is inclusive, supportive, and truly engaged.

At Avidon Health, we’ve come to understand that offering a comprehensive benefits package is essential for attracting and retaining top talent, especially in a remote work environment. As a small business operating in the competitive Health Tech industry, we’ve encountered unique challenges in delivering benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees while staying within our budget. Here’s how we’ve addressed 5 challenges with innovative and strategic solutions, which might spark ideas for your employee benefits solution.

1. Securing Comprehensive National Coverage

The Challenge:

For small businesses with a remote workforce spread across the United States, finding health plans that offer comprehensive national coverage can be daunting. Employees need access to quality healthcare no matter where they are located, but smaller companies often struggle to find affordable healthcare plans with access to a large provider network that caters to a dispersed team.

Our Solution:

We partnered with a benefits broker who truly understands the unique needs of remote businesses like ours. This partnership has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape and securing plans that provide the necessary national coverage. If your broker is unable to secure the plans you need, consider exploring alternative brokers who may present additional solutions. We also explored options like ICHRA, which might better fit your team’s needs. Staying connected with peers through networking groups like SHRM or HR Advisory Board has helped us keep up with the latest trends, ensuring that our benefits package is both comprehensive and tailored to our employees.

2. Managing Rising Healthcare Costs

The Challenge:

Rising healthcare costs are a significant challenge for any small business. As healthcare expenses continue to climb, providing comprehensive coverage without passing the cost onto employees becomes increasingly difficult. A single large health event within a small company can drastically impact the plan’s performance and renewal rates.

Our Solution:

We focus on preventive care through our wellness programs, which are designed to reduce overall healthcare expenses while maintaining high-quality benefits for our employees. By encouraging employees to attend annual exams and preventive screenings, we’ve seen a decrease in urgent care and emergency room visits, which has improved our plan’s performance, making it more attractive to insurers at renewal time. Additionally, we take a proactive approach by partnering with healthcare providers to negotiate better rates, with help from our brokers who can advocate for our unique organization.

3. Maintaining Employee Engagement in a Remote Setting

The Challenge:

With the shift to remote work, maintaining employee engagement and fostering a sense of connection has become more challenging.

Our Solution:

We implement virtual team-building activities, regular check-ins with managers, and use collaboration tools like Teams to keep our remote team members engaged and connected to the company culture. This is a great opportunity for People Operations and HR teams to collaborate with IT departments to explore platforms and tools that might help bridge these gaps. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new initiatives and keep communication transparent with employees. These efforts ensure that your team remains cohesive and motivated, even when working from different locations.

4. Balancing Work and Life in a Flexible Work Environment

The Challenge:

While flexible work arrangements have been beneficial, they also blur the lines between work and personal life, leading to potential burnout.

Our Solution:

We emphasize the importance of setting boundaries, encourage employees to take regular breaks, and offer resources on time management and stress reduction techniques. Avidon Health recently held our first Giving Week, encouraging employees to step out of their office and volunteer for a good cause in their local communities. We also recognize that federal holidays often center around specific occasions, so we offer a flexible holiday day for employees to use as they choose, in addition to their normal PTO. For example, Microsoft users can utilize Viva Insights to schedule focus times automatically and set up “no-meeting” days, helping employees strike a healthy balance. Our Engagement Rx® platform allows us to set up personalized challenges, like step challenges, encouraging employees to stay active. These efforts help our team maintain well-being and productivity.

5. Supporting Mental Health and Wellness

The Challenge:

Mental health has become increasingly important, particularly in a remote work environment where employees may feel isolated or stressed.

Our Solution:

We’ve expanded our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to include a broader range of mental health resources. Additionally, we offer mindfulness or meditation sessions during mental health awareness month, and our training for managers includes information to recognize and support employees facing mental health challenges. Our Engagement Rx® platform also offers personalized digital health coaching and cognitive behavioral training, helping employees achieve their wellness goals.

Bridging Other Gaps

In addition to these solutions, we provide a range of health and wellness programs, including medical, dental, vision insurance, 401k, and access to our EAP. Our EAP offers confidential counseling services available 24/7, ensuring our team has the support they need when they need it. We also invest in our employees’ growth through continuous learning stipends and internal professional development training through our own highly skilled staff, empowering our team with the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers.

At Avidon Health, we review our entire employee benefits package every year as we are committed to continuously improving our benefits and addressing the challenges we face. Ask employees to complete feedback forms or have one-on-one conversations with them to get a better understanding of your workforce and their needs. By doing so, you create a supportive and thriving work environment for all your employees, ensuring that you can adapt to the ever-changing needs of your team and customers.

Cultivating Connection: The Power of Corporate Wellness in Remote Work

1. Prioritize Whole-Person Wellness

2. Foster Connection Through Shared Experiences

3. Celebrate Giving and Community Involvement

4. Encourage Open and Intentional Dialogue

5. Lead by Example

6. Leverage Technology and Available Resources

Why It Matters

Get in touch

Stay engaged