When Lauren Sevey started her new job as a lead consultant with Kaiser Permanente’s Mental Health Scholars Academy, it was March 2020. Like millions of others following a shelter-in-place order, she worked from home.
While most Kaiser Permanente employees deliver health care at facilities, as they have throughout the pandemic, some employees, such as Sevey, never returned to a corporate office. She is among the small percentage of Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s workforce, including those from The Permanente Medical Group, that work at home full time or a significant amount of time.
Most remote employees work in Legal, IT, Finance, Human Resources, Communications, among others. At least 75% of people in those departments work virtually. Administrative staff at medical centers and mental health professionals also have flexible workplaces.
Remote work leads to better work-life balance
Surveys show remote employees at home have less stress, but employees who are early in their careers or are new to the organization have the most trouble adjusting, said Jerry O’Keefe, LMFT, national director of Kaiser Permanente’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
“Do not underestimate the power that social connections can have on our mental health and the joy that we find in our work,” he said. “We need to keep in mind the effects remote work can have on employee loneliness, disconnect from co-workers, the work that we do, and the organization as a whole.”
O’Keefe recommends that managers foster employee connection, such as assigning mentors to new hires, encouraging people to call each other instead of using chat and email, and regular check-ins with employees.
“Managers need to create virtual space for communication, socializing, and casual interactions,” he added. “Social interactions are key to building trust and relationships we all need to effectively collaborate and work as a team.”
Overall, working from home has been a success for those with roles that allow for remote work, said Bill Gilmyers, senior director of HR Strategy and Portfolio Management.
Productivity remains high, and employees like it.
“Employees report reduced levels of stress,” he said. “It’s just better work-life balance.”
Intentional about connecting
In Sevey’s department, all 6 employees telecommute.
“I’m naturally extroverted,” Sevey said. “In the office, you can check in with people easily or when people pass by. I did find remote work lonely or isolating.”
She is not alone. A recent Gallup poll found that about a quarter of fully remote employees worldwide report feeling lonely.
Sevey says she’s no longer lonely because she’s worked hard to build relationships with her team.
She has one-on-one meetings with team members as well as regular team meetings with cameras turned on to feel more engaged. The team also has a Teams chat that is active throughout the day.
Do not underestimate the power that social connections can have on our mental health and the joy that we find in our work.
— Jerry O’Keefe, EAP national director
Glenda Monterroza, MPH, who works in Community Health, recognizes the benefits of working mostly at home — no commute means more time spent walking and cooking.
Like Sevey, Monterroza adjusted to a reality with no “water-cooler moments.”
“You have to be more intentional about connecting,” she said.
Networking is especially difficult in a remote environment, so that’s why she opts to meet colleagues at coffee shops and to attend in-person professional events.
Jordan Scott, who joined Kaiser Permanente in 2021 after working mostly in an office environment, finds building relationships virtually to be harder and slower.

“The communications profession is typically social and interactive so it’s helpful to walk during meetings, work from a coffee shop, or just get out where other people are,” said Scott, who works in media relations.
Like others, he said the positives of remote work, such as work-life balance and flexibility, outweigh sometimes feeling isolated and disconnected.
Scott counts himself fortunate to have had more time with his 5-year-old while working from home.
“That’s the greatest benefit for me,” he said. “You can’t get that time back.”
Tips for remote workers to stay psychologically, physically and socially healthy from Jerry O’Keefe
- Have a dedicated workspace
- Create structure to the day that includes scheduled breaks, and a clear beginning and end
- Take breaks away from the dedicated workspace, and go outside
- Prioritize self-care, including exercise, healthy eating, sleep, and mindfulness and spiritual practices
- Pay extra attention and be intentional about your social health needs. Make plans to socialize with others away from the house
- Find a remote “buddy” for check-ins about work and life
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