Why remote employee benefits matter: Engage, retain & succeed

28 July 2025

In the modern, dynamic workplace, remote working is no longer a means of survival, but a permanent reality in most organisations. As companies settle into this new reality, providing holistic remote employee benefits cannot be overemphasised. These benefits are not just perks; they are tactical levers that enhance employee engagement, improve work-life balance, and ensure workplace well-being. Now, let's see why remote employee benefits matter and how they contribute to organisational success.

Did you know?

72% of remote workers say benefits directly affect their choice to remain with a company.

Key takeaways:

Remote work benefits are no longer a nice-to-have; they're key to employee retention and business success.
Strong employee engagement is found in companies with up to 21% greater profitability.
Flexible work, well-being support, and career progression are the highest priorities for today's remote workers.
Tailored, clearly communicated benefits enhance employee satisfaction and drive benefit usage.

The strategic value of employee benefits in remote work

Employee benefits have traditionally been viewed as a key component of employee engagement and retention. However, in relation to remote work, they turn out to be even more important. Benefits do not include only health coverage or paid time off; rather, they also encompass an extensive list of support options that address the unique demands of remote workers.

1. Boosting employee engagement

Employee engagement is a state of emotional dedication of employees to the organisation. Engaged workers are productive, creative, and less likely to quit. Sometimes working remotely can cause workers to feel isolated or disconnected, and therefore require employers to introduce benefits that engage employees.

Providing advantages like flexible working hours, career advancement schemes, and rewards schemes can significantly improve engagement rates. For example, organisations offering home office setup stipends or internet reimbursements can make their staff feel more comfortable and enhance their productivity, thereby driving better engagement.

Did you know?

Businesses with high worker engagement experience a 21% boost in profitability.

2. Facilitating work-life balance

One of the primary benefits of remote work is the potential for a more balanced work-life approach. With no commuting to work, workers have more time to spend with their families, enjoy hobbies, or simply relax. Yet, the dissolution of work-life boundaries also risks burnout if not carefully managed.

Implementing benefits like flexible schedules, mental health days, and wellness programmes can help employees maintain a healthy balance. Encouraging employees to take regular breaks and disconnect from work during off-hours is crucial in preventing burnout and maintaining long-term productivity.

3. Supporting workplace wellness

Workplace wellness programmes are intended to promote the physical and mental health of employees. In a remote environment, such programmes must be modified to address the special needs of remote employees.

Providing employees with access to virtual fitness classes, meditation sessions, or counselling services can help them manage stress and maintain their health. Furthermore, providing them with stipends for healthy food or ergonomic tools can also improve their lives, leading to decreased absenteeism and higher job satisfaction.

You can read more about it on Understanding the Significance of Employee Benefits | Pluxee (Sodexo)

The business case for investing in remote employee benefits

Investing in remote employee benefits is not merely an ethical requirement; it's a business proposition that provides measurable dividends.

1. Recruiting and retaining top talent

In a competitive job market, offering desirable benefits can differentiate an organisation from the competition. Remote employees tend to value flexibility, career progression opportunities, and wellness assistance when selecting an employer. Organisations that provide broad benefits packages are more likely to recruit and retain top talent.

2. Minimising turnover and related costs

Employee turnover is expensive, both in terms of recruitment costs and the loss of institutional knowledge. Providing benefits that support job satisfaction and overall health can help reduce turnover.

3. Increasing productivity and performance

Workers who feel cared for and appreciated are more apt to be productive and dedicated to their jobs. Benefits that support work-life balance, such as flexible hours and wellness programmes, are likely to yield greater job satisfaction and improved performance.

4. Building company culture over distance

Company culture can be diluted by remote work if not actively fostered. Carefully planned employee benefits, such as virtual team-building events, cultural celebration days, and online learning circles, can reinforce company values and build connections between remote teams, wherever they are.

5. Promoting long-term career growth

Remote employees tend to fear being "out of sight, out of mind." By offering remote-friendly career development perks, such as virtual mentorship initiatives, skill development allowances, and online course access, firms demonstrate a commitment to employee development, which in turn boosts loyalty and engagement.

6. Strengthening employer brand

The best talent considers a company's ability to treat its employees well. Providing exceptional remote employee perks makes your company stand out as an innovative, human-centric employer.

Best practices for executing remote employee benefits

To achieve maximum effect from remote employee benefits, organisations need to adopt the following best practices:

1. Customise benefits to employee needs

Not all employees have the same needs or preferences. Offering a one-size-fits-all benefits package may not be the most effective approach. Instead, consider providing options that employees can choose from based on their circumstances.

2. Communicate benefits

Employees must be informed of the benefits they are eligible to claim and how to claim them. Clear communication helps in ensuring employees make the best use of available benefits.Update employees regularly regarding available benefits using newsletters, intranet pages, or staff meetings. Make available simple-to-understand guides or FAQs for employees to learn about the benefits system.

3. Seek employee feedback

Employee needs and wants may shift over time. Periodic solicitation of feedback enables organisations to make their benefits programmes relevant and impactful.

Surveys or focus groups can be very helpful in gathering feedback on employees' experiences with existing benefits and identifying areas for improvement. Involving employees in the decision-making process fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.

Did you know?

60% of job applicants believe benefits are more important to them than pay.

4. Provide accessibility across time zones

For distributed teams, advantages must be inclusive of time and place. Provide asynchronous resources (such as recorded webinars), flexible join times for live wellness sessions, and global vendor options so that all workers, regardless of their time zone, have equal access to support.

5. Benchmark regularly against industry standards

To remain competitive, businesses need to regularly benchmark their remote benefits against those of similar companies in their industry. This involves analysing competitors' packages, gaining insight into what's trending (e.g., 4-day work weeks, digital detox days), and modifying their offerings to remain attractive and relevant.

You can read more about it on Innovative Employee Benefits for today's workforce

6. Incorporate benefits with HR tech platforms

Simplify the employee experience by bringing benefits together with other HR technology applications. Centralised dashboards displaying all available resources, ranging from workplace wellness initiatives to tracking PTO, help employees find and utilise their benefits more easily, increasing overall utilisation and satisfaction.

End note

In today's digital-first world, remote employee benefits are more than a perk; they're a performance strategy. Companies that invest in employee engagement, work-life balance, and workplace wellness programmes are already realising greater loyalty, higher productivity, and a stronger culture.

To provide these advantages efficiently and effectively, companies require intelligent, adaptable tools—and that is where Pluxee comes in. Pluxee enables organisations to provide customised, relevant benefits that match changing requirements of remote and hybrid employees, allowing you to engage, retain, and thrive, wherever your people do their work.