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08 Aug 2019

How to combat wellbeing risks to remote workers

The idea of working from home is great. No distractions, no commute, no dress code. But while those are positives, there are negatives to working remotely. Problems that you might not expect, which can drastically affect the mental wellbeing of those who work away from your office.

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You have, as an employer, the same duty of care to your remote workers as you do to everyone else. It can be easy to forget about people who aren’t immediately visible every day – and that has a negative effect.

It’s not difficult, though, to make sure remote workers are included and recognised as the vital part of the workplace that they are. Here are a few tips.

Communication

Possibly the most important step – regularly communicating with those who work remotely is essential. Note that this doesn’t mean being invasive, or snooping, it’s about making sure that people have a connection to those they work with.

When you’re separated from the office, you lose some of the support that these spaces bring. While there are plenty of positives – less noise, fewer distractions, more freedom – there’s also a lack of immediate support when problems arise.

Making sure that remote workers are spoken to every day will help alleviate some of that. Let them know that they have support, and listen to any worries they may bring up. Encourage them to socialise, go out for lunch, let them know they’re not expected to be tied to their desk.

Separation

When people work from home, they run the risk of their home and work lives blurring into one. Associating your home with work makes it a lot harder to switch off, and this stops people from relaxing, sleeping and can cause issues with mental health.

Encourage employees to set up working spaces in their homes. Not everyone has a spare room, but a corner with a desk that only gets used for working can help. Offer to fund equipment for this – people are far more likely to set up working spaces in their homes when employers pay for them.

If this isn’t possible, offer to fund a hotdesk in a nearby business centre or meeting space whenever needed. Make it clear that work/life separation is important, and that you’re happy to help maintain it.

Connect

There are plenty of ways to keep in touch with remote workers nowadays – it’s not just the phone. Apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype and even Discord are great for making sure people are available and at their desk.

Make sure though, that you’re not being invasive. If a remote worker is using their own equipment, respect that – they don’t have to install monitoring apps that regularly check that they’re working, for example. It’s about trust.

Reassure

People who work from home tend to be online more, and work longer hours than onsite staff. There can be a worry that they’re seen as shirking by staying home. But if remote workers put themselves under that pressure it can be a mental health catastrophe.

Encourage people to set limits, and stick to them. If a remote worker sends emails every hour of the day, gently remind them of their working hours. Ensure they take breaks, and reward them for the things they achieve in work hours.

Many employees and business owners thrive when given the opportunity to set their own schedule. If you prepare for the potential mental health risks, and follow the advice above, you’ll find your remote workers have a much more pleasant and smooth experience.

This article is provided by Health Assured

In partnership with Health Assured

Health Assured is the UK and Ireland's most trusted health and wellbeing network.

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