How can an employer promote the wellbeing of their remote employees? During these unprecedented times, many people are required or choosing to work from home. Whether they are self-isolating, shielding or their company has introduced a remote work policy; it is vital that their wellbeing is supported. Employee wellbeing impacts more than their personal lives, it influences motivation, engagement and productivity; therefore, poor wellbeing can have detrimental effects on work performance.
When working remotely, it is not uncommon to feel lonely. Separation from colleagues can increase stress and result in disengagement from work. Similarly, sharing the same environment for work and personal lives can dismantle a work-life balance. Workers become vulnerable to longer hours and more interruptions which can ultimately lead to burnout.
No matter where the employee is based, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of their employees. This blog provides examples of how employers can support their remote workers. After all, healthy, happy people make the best workforce.
Breaks
Working non-stop for hours is bad! A break gives employees time to recuperate and regain sufficient energy to tackle their tasks. When working from home, it is easy to lose track of time and forget about break periods.
To combat this, you could:
- Send reminder notifications to employees every breaktime.
- Introduce virtual lunch hours. Colleagues can choose to connect and chat over their lunch as they usually would in the office.
Check-in
Employees rely on support from their peers or managers when issues in work arise. It is vital to maintain healthy work relationships, so staff continue to feel comfortable enough to ask for help.
To do this, you could:
- Schedule regular one-to-ones to create strong employer-employee relationships. During these meetings, note whether they sound anxious or stressed and be sure to ask how they are coping with the current situation. Listen to what is said and actively try to resolve their problems. Staff will feel reassured that they are not alone.
- Encourage calls between co-workers. They can bounce ideas off one another, work more efficiently together and share the burden of stress.
Activities
When stuck at home, people tend to fall into unhealthy habits. It is easy to skip things like dressing, showering, exercise or even going outside; but doing such things is necessary for a healthy mind and body.
When employees dedicate time to activities other than work, it stimulates their mind: resulting in decreased lethargy and improved work performance.
To encourage mental stimulation, you could:
- Schedule a virtual coffee morning for employees to socialise over something other than work. Choose a charity, date and time; then encourage employees to bake treats, partake in quizzes, set each other challenges and donate to a good cause.
- Arrange virtual walking groups so employees can exercise with their friends. Encourage them to share photos of their walks, set challenges amongst each other, and call one another whilst they walk.
Whatever you choose to do, staying involved with your employees makes them feel better. Knowing that you care about more than just the hours they clock will undoubtedly yield benefits to both you and them! So take time now to set up a plan to look after the wellbeing of your remote employees.
