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Remote working: Top 5 ways to take care of your staff

Remote working is still a very popular model for both companies and employees. Its benefits are widely documented, but what about its recurring challenges? A recent study by the Royal Society for Public Health has reported over two thirds of employees have struggled with feelings of disconnection and isolation since moving to remote working. 56% of workers are also struggling with work-life balance and relaxing after a busy day.

Here are our expert tips to help you support your employees with continued remote working:

SUPPORT YOUR TEAM WITH DEVELOPING A SCHEDULE

When your home becomes your new office, switching off from work and engaging in hobbies, family time and exercise becomes increasingly difficult. Working from home not only takes a toll on an employee’s mental health, but also physical. This can lead to increased stress and burnout.

Support your team by allocating time for the following…

• Exercise – Not just by working out at the gym or rigorous sprints, but also a relaxing walk in nature. Stepping away from the working environment and having some fresh air is beneficial for cognitive functioning. Countless studies have shown the benefit of time in nature, on overall wellbeing too.

Even making time for an online yoga class can help employees feel refreshed and increase productivity.

• Spending time with family – Working from home can be great for employees who want more flexibility around spending time with their loved ones. Encourage your employees to separate their ‘home office’ from ‘home’ by setting virtual working hours. This allows space to unwind and spend quality time with their family and friends.

• Engaging in hobbies and interests – Hobbies bring a sense of fun and freedom to life which can curb the difficult feelings of isolation. Consider brainstorming hobbies and interests that your employers can try; perhaps learning a new language or picking up a musical instrument. Studies have shown that having a hobby not only decreases symptoms of depression but can help to prevent depression altogether. You could even try cooking new healthy recipes that can be found on our OptiMe app with your employees. Celebrate success with a virtual dinner date!

KEEP UP WITH FUN SOCIAL INTERACTION

With ‘Netflix Party’ and virtual coffee dates, there’s no reason for employees to feel disconnected. Research has emphasised the importance of work relationships and having a sense of belonging in the workplace. Involve your team in social chit chat by scheduling fun and engaging social get togethers or sharing your favourite isolation memes on WhatsApp. Why not infuse fun into your week by trying a karaoke sing along. See how talented your team really is!

REGULARLY CHECK IN AND COMMUNICATE

Amongst the large number of employees struggling with their mental health, only 34% have reported feeling supported by their employer. Make a change by:

Organising regular one-to-one calls with employees to check in on how they’re doing. This gives them the space to express any concerns and worries they have, so that you can support them and make any adjustments necessary.

Even a simple daily “How are you getting on?” email shows employees that they matter as individuals and a daily check in can pick up on any arising problems before they worsen.

Provide accessible mental health resources to employees and educate them on self-care, as well as the signs of burnout and stress so they know where to turn if they find themselves struggling. You can find our resources here.

ENCOURAGE AND CELEBRATE SUCCESS

Rewarding hard work and celebrating success not only boosts motivation and productivity but helps employees to feel valued. The desire to feel appreciated is a natural human trait, but remote working makes it harder for employees to be directly praised for their hard work.

Our OptiMe Wellbeing app enables you to reward employees remotely for their efforts, whilst also helping them to manage their own health and wellbeing.

ENGAGE IN YOUR SELF CARE AND WELLBEING

It is just as crucial for your employees’ wellbeing that you take time to check in with yourself. Make space to engage in your own self-care. Invest in a journal and write down the list of self-care activities that you want to make time for each day. Ensuring you’re getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy balanced diet means you’re in a better mindset to guide and be there for your employees. After all, leading by example will encourage your employees to put time into their own health and wellbeing. 

Click here to learn more about our dedicated wellbeing and remote working workshop: Wellbeing Workshops – OptiMe (optimewellbeing.com) 

 

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