Feeling Good, Working Better: Why Social Bonds Matter

More people are working remotely or out in the field these days, particularly in sectors like energy, utilities, and chemicals. And while flexibility has its upsides, it can also leave people feeling disconnected from teammates, the company, and even their sense of purpose. A lack of community building can degrade a business and its workforce fast.

When you're not sharing the same space or schedule, it’s easy for that everyday sense of community to fade or never materialise to begin with. Here’s the thing:community isn’t just a nice extra in work culture; it's a basic human need. It plays a key role in both wellbeing, employee engagement and performance at work.

According to the UK Government,loneliness in the workplace is costing businesses around £2.5 billion every year. Most of that comes from staff turnover (64%, £1.62 billion), but lower productivity (26%, £665 million), impact of care responsibilities (9%, £220 million), and time off for illness (1%, £20 million), all add to the cost.

In short,when people feel connected, they stay longer, perform better, and feel healthier doing it. And that kind of impact benefits every team, whether they are remote workers, deskless, or office-based.

The Hidden Barriers to Workplace Community

It is easy to assume that remote work and hybrid teams are the ones most at risk of lacking social connection. However, in reality, community building can be just as challenging in traditional office environments and even more so in field-based industries such as utilities, chemicals, oil, and energy.

These teams face a different set of barriers that can make it harder to feel part of something bigger:

• Field-based, shift-based, and deskless roles often mean employees do not cross paths during the day or even work at the same time.
• Distributed teams working across different sites, regions, or countries have fewer chances for natural, face-to-face connections.
• High-pressure and safety-critical environments can leave little room for informal chats or social check-ins, which can be critical for workplace rapport.
• Mental fatigue and high-pressure environments can contribute to mental fatigue and burnout, making people feel isolated, even when surrounded by colleagues.
• Many wellbeing initiatives are designed for office workers, which means field staff, rotating crews, and mobile teams often miss out.
• Frequent travel or constantly changing work sites make it tough to build a routine, let alone a sense of belonging.

For people on the move, staying connected to a supportive community can be especially difficult. That is where flexibility really matters.

“Having the ability to access multiple gyms based on my location has made my fitness experience a breeze. As I travel with work and aren't always located near my own home, Wellhub allows me to still fit in my workouts wherever I am.” — Harry, Wellhub user

The Business Case for Social Connection

People are social by nature, and that doesn’t switch off when we’re at work. We all want to feel part of something, to feel seen, and towork somewhere that reflects our values. Thatsense of belonging plays a much bigger role in business outcomes than many realise.

When teams feel connected, it builds trust. And trust is what allows people to speak up, share ideas, and support one another through challenges. It can lead to better collaboration, stronger team dynamics, and more innovation.

It alsomakes people want to stick around. Employees who feel like they belong are more likely to stay with a company, which can reduce turnover and help teams grow together over time. Feeling part of a workplace community is also tied to better mental health and higher job satisfaction.

The need is clear, but the gap is real. According to research by Stribe:

• 34% of UK employees say they do not consider their workplace a community.
• 65% want to feel a stronger sense of belonging at work.

And it is not just employees who notice the disconnect. In Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, 43% of leaders said that building relationships is the biggest challenge in hybrid work environments.

Without that sense of connection, burnout can creep in faster. People feel less motivated, less supported, and more likely to disengage. It's why loneliness is considered as detrimental as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

While community may not be something you can measure on a spreadsheet, the ripple effects show up everywhere.

How Wellhub Builds Connection Wherever Work Happens

Wellhub helps companies turn wellbeing into more than just a benefit. It becomes part of the culture. Community is not built through access alone, but through everyday experiences that bring people together and help healthy habits stick.

Whether your teams are remote, on the road, or spread across multiple sites, Wellhub makes it easier for people to feel part of something bigger.

1. Group challenges and shared wellness goals unite colleagues across time zones and job roles. These challenges can be led by the company or started by employees themselves.
2. Social features like leaderboards, shout-outs, and shared progress help people cheer each other on and foster genuine camaraderie, regardless of their workplace. Wellhub’s challenge feature can be started by anyone, with prompts like “Who can hit 100,000 steps in five days?” It’s a fun way to boost motivation with a bit of friendly competition.
3. Curated live classes and virtual events make it easy for remote and field-based workers to get involved on their own schedule, in a way that works for them.
4. Integration with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams ensures that wellness remains top of mind and is part of everyday conversations, rather than being buried in an app or email inbox.
5. Fostering a sense of belonging beyond work, Wellhub provides employees with a reason to connect that extends beyond deadlines. Whether it’s sharing a yoga session, celebrating small wins, or just feeling seen, these effects go well beyond the workday.
6. It promotes a shared identity, lowers stress, and encourages preventive care, contributing to healthier and more connected teams overall.

Wellhub is designed to be inclusive and flexible. It meets people where they are and gives them the freedom to choose what works for them. Whether it’s a local gym, a meditation session at home, or a group challenge with friends, the experience is simple, accessible, and made to stick.

And the impact speaks for itself. According to the Return on Wellbeing Report, companies using Wellhub see:

• Double the employee engagement in wellness initiatives
• See a 40% reduction in turnover risk
• Up to35% savings on healthcare costs

¨I occasionally use the gym but am more motivated by the classes. Access to exercise is key to my physical and mental health. As a 60-year-old, I intend to continue as long as I can, and I strongly believe you are never too old to start exercising.¨ - Paula, wellhub user

A Connected Workforce Is a Resilient One

Community building at work is about more than just boosting morale. It supports retention, strengthens performance, ensures better employee engagement and even contributes to workplace safety. When people feel connected, they look out for each other, stay engaged, and show up as their best selves.

Social connection is not separate from wellbeing. Itis wellbeing. Feeling part of a team, having someone to talk to, and sharing everyday wins can all make a real difference to how employees feel and perform.

That is why companies need to think beyond traditional benefits. The most effective strategies bring people together through both digital tools and real-life experiences. Wellhub helps close the gap by making community and wellness accessible to everyone, no matter where or how they work, while also supporting companies in ensuring these tools are put to good use.

It's time to make connection a core part of your wellbeing strategy. Get a free quote today from Welhub!