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Striking a balance between being connected – reachable, productive, happy and healthy – while working from home is something employers should not assume naturally happens for their remote employees.

With the Covid-19 situation and the prevalence of remote working arrangements, employees who work from home are at risk of being 'disconnected', even with video conferencing technology and collaboration / communication tools. Unexpectedly, many have told us that they are spending more time working when they work from home.

Staying Healthy – Physically & Mentally!

Technology enables employees from different disciplines to work from home (remote working). Companies need to ensure that employees feel like they are part of the team and not feel isolated because they are working remotely.

Although working from home has its perks like flexibility and works as a solution to minimize spreading Covid-19, it can have adverse effects on people's mental health and well-being.

Research states that being always accessible through technology communication systems while working from home can lead to blurred work and private life boundaries, which ultimately causes stress.

Why does working from home cause stress?

Studies have shown a variety of reasons why employees who work from home may be prone to feeling down:

Employees may feel left out of the action if the leader and team members do not make an effort to stay connected and aligned on a daily, if not weekly basis.
It creates the tendency of focusing too much on tasks and too little on relationships.
Feelings of isolation and loneliness may be amplified.

One significant factor of stress caused when working from home, according to a study, is communication with managers. A lack of feedback produces feelings of insecurity about the employees' work.

People also report that working from home can be distracting, which decreases their productivity leading to stress. They may feel obliged to help out at home or to attend to their family members. Stress also arises when employees feel pressured always to be online – to appear busy and to prove their productiveness.

For employees struggling with anxiety, research suggests engaging in outdoor activities and stepping out of your comfort zone help people manage the conditions.

Leaders should focus on strengthening the mental health of their employees by enabling social support and connecting them with the team. They can start with clear communication about work, health, and quality time.

Managers should set an example of a healthy work-life balance; encourage employees to think about their priorities and mental health. It is also essential to show trust in employees, articulating confidence in their ability to work at home productively.

Studies show that working from home, if managed well by both the employee and their employer, provides autonomy, which in turn increases employees' intrinsic motivation and productivity. It's also true that working from home has a different level of effectiveness across individuals. The outbreak of the Covid-19 forces more and more people to work from home, which is why leaders need to take proactive measures to support and encourage a positive mindset for their employees.

3 Things You Can Do Today!

For Employees:

Take regular breaks away from the computer/work devices – perhaps every 30 minutes. Get some fresh air and take short walks where possible. Get some exercise!
Make a precise schedule of work activities you want to finish and keep it within sight as a reminder.
Stay in touch with your co-workers by talking to them, not just via emails or text messages

For Leaders

Stay in touch with your team. It makes a difference to maintain that on a regular basis via video conferencing or over the phone, even if a brief one.
A simple text "Had your lunch?" can remind team members to stop working during lunchtime.
Do what you are telling your employees to do ☺

Literature:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/working-from-home-mental-health_n_5afd88e2e4b0a59b4e014602

Rupietta, K., & Beckmann, M. (2017). Working from Home. Schmalenbach Business Review, 70(1), 25–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41464-017-0043-x

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/10/remote-working-from-home-increase-stress-anxiety-mental-health/