25 thoughtful gift ideas for remote employees

The right office chair can make the remote work experience much more comfortable. Some employees, however, don’t prioritize getting one for their workspace and as a result don’t know what they’re missing. Make your workers’ remote office a place where they feel great by giving them a good chair.

An article published by Mayo Clinic has indicated that sitting for long periods of time can lead to serious health problems, so it’s a good idea to inspire your employees to get up and move around. A standing desk encourages more regular activity, even when your workers find it hard to step away from particular tasks.

For some employees, having just one screen can slow them down. Purchasing an extra monitor can go a long way toward making work easier and more productive. Instead of constantly switching between tabs, an employee can check everything they need at a glance.

If your employee uses a desktop computer, an adjustable monitor arm is a thoughtful gift idea. It keeps the monitor at eye level, so they don’t have to lean forward or crane their neck to look at their computer. This can also make it easier for them to move their setup anywhere and to allow them to still create a comfortable environment.

Light has a big impact on the way it feels to be in a space. Give a lamp to brighten any room or choose an adjustable one to allow your employee to change the mood of a room when they’re ready to wind down for the day.

A mobile hotspot is a portable router that allows you to create your own wifi network wherever you are. This is especially useful in today’s environment, in which we often need to connect for work or want to get in touch with family and friends.

Set up a monthly subscription for employees at a coworking space that’s close to them. This way, they don’t necessarily need to work from home by themselves. Instead, they can interact with others more regularly and combat potential loneliness.

This is a great way to show that you care about your remote employees. Consider purchasing a batch of face masks, or put together a variety of self-care items in a gift basket. This serves as a gentle reminder that breaks are important and that employees might want to start a regular routine of taking a few moments to step away.

Most people appreciate being able to curl up with a good book. If you’re looking for inspiration but aren’t sure what book would be suitable for your employees, check out a list of best-selling business books or browse the New York Times bestsellers list.

There’s never a bad time of day for coffee or tea. To offer a variety, consider including flavored options or a mix of caffeinated and decaf choices. If employees need to refuel or relax, they’ll always have something for their mug.

There are benefits to many of our common items becoming “smart.” A smart mug is great for any busy professional because it can keep your beverage at the right temperature. Your workers won’t forget about their perfectly brewed cups.

When you’re thinking through gift ideas for remote employees, don’t overlook this option. One way that many remote teams love to connect is to bond over pets. Show your employees that you care about these members of their family by giving toys or treats.

Keep your employees fueled by the food they love. This can be a stash of snacks to keep in their workspace or meal kits to help them speed up the preparation process at lunch or dinnertime.

Yoga is a great way to stay healthy and manage stress. A yoga mat is also perfect for other types of fitness, such as pilates, stretching, and core exercises. Give your employees a yoga mat to support them in their activity goals.

Blue-light glasses are great gifts for remote employees because they help to protect their eyes while looking at a screen. Giving employees this option can potentially help them to avoid headaches, sleep better, and feel healthier.

A smart speaker is a helpful gift because it has so many functions. From keeping track of calendars to giving the weather report to playing music, this device lets employees accomplish all kinds of tasks.

If you have a teammate who loves to dig into data, consider purchasing a fitness tracker for them. They can get information about steps, sleep, activity levels, and more. Some fitness trackers even give reminders for when to get up and move around.

You can give your employees Uber gift cards to be used for rides, meals, and more. You can distribute gift cards digitally and even easily purchase multiples for your whole team. Learn more about gift cards from Uber for Business.

You can help your employees to stay hydrated by sending them a water bottle. You can add your company’s logo or choose a transparent one with marks that remind them to sip throughout the day.

Now that we live in an era of regular video calls, a nonfunctioning or outdated webcam can be frustrating. Give your employees an updated webcam they can use to connect at work and with family and friends in different locations.

Research published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience revealed that writing on paper can lead to more brain activity when remembering that information an hour later. A planner is a great gift that serves a practical purpose to help people stay on track each day.

Business owners frequently purchase vouchers as gifts at the end of the year, for holidays, and on other special occasions. With vouchers, you have some control over parameters such as expiration dates, location restrictions, and more. Check out vouchers through Uber for Business to see how it can work.

A desktop organizer is a useful addition to any home office. Not only does it keep the desk tidy, but it also helps people find what they need easier and get back to work. This is perfect for any employee still adjusting to a remote or hybrid work schedule.

Is there ever such a thing as too many notebooks? Help employees express their creativity, get a message across, or remember important action items by giving them stationery. You can also include pens, highlighters, or other items they may reach for at their desks.

Help your employees bring the outside in this year. Indoor plants literally add life to a space and can help us feel more connected to nature, even when the weather may otherwise stop us from venturing out.