3 Expert-Approved Ways to Support Remote and Hybrid Teams

The landscape of work has fundamentally shifted toward remote and hybrid models, and it’s your job to keep your team thriving in this new normal. But how do you do it when the old playbook is out the window? The good news is, with a proactive, empathetic, and technologically informed approach, you can create an environment that prioritizes employee wellbeing and business success—and we have expert advice to help you get started. 

The FruitGuys recently spoke with Ranya Nehmeh, a senior HR strategist and author of several books, including In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work (co-authored with Peter Cappelli). The book is a “balanced, research-based approach to navigating the complex landscape of remote and hybrid work [with] a fresh perspective on why hybrid models often fail and what organizations must do differently to succeed in this new era.” 

Here are a few of Nehmeh’s top tips for supporting remote teams and hybrid workers in 2025 and beyond. 

Tip #1: Champion Employee Wellbeing & Connection

While many people enjoy the flexibility of working from home, “it’s important to acknowledge that just because people are working from home doesn’t mean they’re always thriving,” Nehmeh said.

She recommended creating “design structures that reintroduce rhythm and connection into people’s work lives. That could mean clear start-and-end times for meetings, ‘no meeting’ blocks to protect focus, or scheduled in-person days with purpose, like team offsites or shared learning experiences. People need signals and rituals to help them separate work from life.” 

Another tip: make sure that you and the other managers on your team are checking in with your direct reports—and not just about work tasks. 

“Managers need to spend more time connecting with their direct reports … to genuinely check in. How are they doing, really? In a virtual setting, it’s harder to notice when someone is struggling,” Nehmeh said. 

She recommended training managers to spot signs of distress or burnout so they can catch and address it early.

Tip #2: Create a Culture of Trust

According to Nehmeh, “in a dispersed workplace, trust isn’t something you inherit, it’s something you have to manufacture, over and over again.” Here are a few ways to earn that trust from your team.

• Be clear and consistent about expectations
• Follow through on commitments
• Resist the urge to micromanage; instead, “give people the autonomy to do their jobs”
• Create systems that support mental health and wellbeing (safe channels for feedback, open discussions, etc.)

Nehmeh also recommended creating moments of connection. 

“People are far more likely to trust each other when they feel connected. That’s why hybrid cultures need to create intentional moments for bonding, whether that’s in-person retreats, cross-functional projects, or simply making space for conversations that aren’t strictly about work,” she said. 

To do this, try experimenting with the following:

1. Create regular rituals that help reintroduce rhythm and predictability. A quick morning check-in or weekly touchbase helps create a comforting routine.
2. Combine a-synch tools such as Slack or Teams with synchronized check-ins and meetings to reduce screen fatigue while keeping people engaged.
3. Incorporate in-person time that means something: “If your model allows for in-office or off-site gatherings, make those days matter. Use them for team-building or collaborative problem-solving.”

Tip #3: Show Your Team that You Care from Afar

One of the best ways you can support hybrid and remote workers is by recreating office culture in imaginative ways. Gifts and genuine communication can help assuage feelings of isolation. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Recreate the Break Room

Reimagine the in-office break room experience by sending surprise care packages to your employees’ homes or stocking snack stations for your hybrid team’s in-office days. Office fruit delivery for remote teams and hybrid workplaces is a fun and healthy option. Coffee or mocktail kits, plants, and personalized gifts are also good choices.

Create Opportunities for Conversation

Randomly pair employees for 15-minute, virtual “coffee roulette” chats to spark conversation across different teams.

Send Personal Notes

Mail handwritten cards or small gifts from team leads. A personal touch can go a long way.

Design Shared Rituals

Nehmen recommended “team-curated playlists or quarterly ‘Connection Days’ that focus on storytelling, and peer recognition.”

By focusing on employee wellbeing, fostering a culture of trust, and providing perks from afar (like office fruit delivery for remote teams and hybrid workplaces), you can support your workers through 2025 and beyond. 

Whether you start with office fruit delivery tailored for remote teams and hybrid workspaces or focus on upping your managers’ communication game, you’ll be moving in the right direction to help employees thrive. Just remember this last nugget of advice from Nehmeh as you take your first step: “The key is not to replicate office culture, but rather to reimagine it.”