Fitnesscenters are discovering ways to deliver programming remotely, fromhosting live workouts online to using video conferencing tools, andstreaming live workouts right on employees' phones. (Photo:Shutterstock)

The current state of "working from home" is far from "normal."Many employees are doing it for the first time. Some are doing itwhile doubling as elementary school teachers. And all of us aredoing it with the COVID-19 pandemic weighing heavily on our minds.This is a stressful situation for everyone, especially when many ofus don't have an end date for when we'll all go back to work. Andthis stress and anxiety is already taking its toll on employeewell-being.

However, innovative and responsive employers are alreadystepping up by adapting and making adjustments when it comes tomeeting the needs of employees where they are now… at home. Theneed for support and well-being has never been greater, andcatering to those needs requires creativity and a willingness toutilize technology in new ways. Connection doesn't happen withoutintention right now and connection is key to productivity andoverall well-being. Even if that connection looks a bit differentfor the near future.

Related: Remote work: 7 ways to help employees adjust to thenew normal's new workplace

Employers are leveraging technology like never before to providemuch-needed support to employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.Fitness center program managers and instructors are discoveringways to deliver programming remotely, from hosting live workoutsonline to using video conferencing tools, and streaming liveworkouts right on employees' phones.

Using Webex for well-being

At Eaton Corp. in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, program managerStephanie Seth Loy said she's doing everything overWebex. "I put together a virtual group class schedule thatwas communicated to employees via a weekly newsletter. All of theclasses are on a public Outlook calendar and includes Webexinformation to eliminate barriers to participation," saidStephanie. "I wanted to make it as easy as possible for employeesto join in, knowing a majority are working from home with theirOutlook calendar open all day."

Classes include everything from a mid-morning stretch break tobodyweight toning, lunch hour cardio classes, a mid-afternoonguided meditation and evening boot camp or yoga flow.

"The participation has been tremendous so far and I'm averagingdouble the number of participants per class as I usually do when inthe office," she said.

Virtual coffee breaks for connection

While physical activity is important, so is the opportunity tosocialize and take a mental break. With everyone working from home,connection doesn't happen on its own. Danielle McMullen, programmanager for Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Andover, Massachusetts,is being intentional about the opportunity for breaks by connectingmore than 300 employees and restoring a bit of normalcy in work andlife.

"Each week features an uplifting topic to spark conversation andsharing. My goal is to keep it light and fun, and allow it tounfold organically," says Danielle. "I am also working on a virtualHappy Hour, and an after-work social that would include trivia,Karaoke, fitness and Seinfeld dancing."

These activities are about ways to interact and connect when thetraditional options aren't available. So far, Danielle has seengood results and plans to continue these virtual coffee breaks forthe foreseeable future.

Microsoft Teams FTW!

Sharon Daley, program manager at SAP America in Newtown Square,Pennsylvania, saw the value of Microsoft Teams early on in thispandemic. She created the "Work from Home Warriors" team and within48 hours, 204 employees signed up to join and 25 percent of themhad already taken a live fitness class.

Sharon chose Microsoft Teams rather than email because she couldstream the classes using her camera phone so employees could seeher. Employees have been putting the app on their devices, too, soSharon can watch them and help with their form for yoga, circuittraining or stretches. She teaches two classes a day and a stretchbreak. Daley plans to add a step class as well.

"It's so nice to be able to see their faces," Sharon says. "Theyare so happy to be moving and seeing each other."

These are just a few of the companies that are adapting andtrying new things with technology. They are meeting employees wherethey are at, with flexibility and a focus on physical and mentalwell-being during this time of uncertainty. Providing creative waysfor employees to meaningfully connect is what they need. It's alsoabout making the most of a tough situation and finding moments ofmuch-needed fun in unexpected places.

Ann Wyatt is vice president, programmanagement & engagement at HealthFitness,where she oversees a national account management team. Her roleincludes strategy development and driving engagement for new andexisting health management and corporate fitness programs, employeerecruiting and training, program quality assurance and operationsmanagement.

Read more: 

• What does it take to create targeted well-beingprograms?
• Remote work comes with its share ofchallenges
• 5 tips for managing remote work arrangements, froman expert