The Mental Health of Remote Workers

The concept of working remotely is more common than ever before. In fact, a Gallup survey of June 2022 reported that 8 in 10 people are working hybrid or remote. This number probably would not be so high if it wasn’t for the global pandemic of 2020.   Employees and schoolchildren had to change their daily routines abruptly and seek alternative ways to continue their education and work.

Here we are in 2023, working from home is still very common, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Additionally, remote work is expected to even increase in the future. However, employees’ mental health problems significantly increased as more people started working from home.

So, it makes you question if people benefit from working at home. If so, how, and what are they doing to keep a positive outlook?

What’s an Employer’s Role in Employee Mental Health?

A business owner manages a demanding schedule of tasks that need to be done every day. Also, along with a busy schedule comes the need to provide support and engagement to employees. Today, many employers are making a more significant effort and they are even investing in mental health resources for their employees.  Providing the necessary support for an employee’s mental health will only benefit the company entirely.

Additionally, employees start to feel appreciated and supported by their employers. This results in an employee being in a better state of mental health and will be more productive and satisfied with their job. Business leaders need to take the first step to provide employees with the necessary resources to enhance their mental health. This not only benefits the employee, but it is also an advantage to your business.

What Resources Can Employers Offer to Improve their Employees’ Mental Health?

When everyone was working at an office, it was easy for employers to set up lunch arrangements, have holiday parties, and celebrate birthdays. All of these small events made employees feel appreciated, and they enjoyed their time at their workplace.  However, this is where it becomes challenging since most employees work from home, and everyone lives in different parts of the country or even around the world.

Here are some methods companies can use to provide mental health support for their employees.

• Establish a work culture where people are acknowledged for their success.
• Provide effective learning and development training for team leaders to contribute the right support to their team.
• Offer additional benefits that include mental health support, such as counseling sessions or a PTO mental health day.
• Encourage employees to exercise. Employers can reimburse fitness memberships or equipment.
• Allow your employees to socialize online, not just for meetings.

The Advantages of Working Remote

Although it can be challenging for some people, working from home is preferred. Employees don’t have the stress of sitting in traffic during their commute to work. That means they gain an average of two hours a day, which that time can now be used for any other free-time activity.

Additionally, working from home also decreases commuting expenses because employees don’t need to fill up their gas tanks every couple of days or pay for that pricey monthly pass for public transportation.

Time and money are significant factors for employees to be more satisfied working from home. However, employees must keep the right work-life balance to continue having increased work productivity and excellent mental health.

Establish a Positive Work-life Balance

Many employees find themselves working overtime at some point because they can access work quickly at any moment of the day. Employers appreciate the effort, but that isn’t something that should occur frequently. That’s when stress gets added to the picture, and mental health starts to decline. Therefore, remote employees need to know how to manage their work-life balance to maintain excellent mental health. There are many different techniques that can help employees stay productive throughout the day.

Let’s discover some helpful tips that can help employees with their work-life balance.

1. Make daily goals and set a schedule, which means starting hours, breaks, and end of the workday. Also, take fifteen minutes before you begin working to prioritize what needs to be done.
2. If possible, make a space in your home that is dedicated to working. Try to keep it clean and clutter-free.
3. Take a break when you need it and eat a nutritious meal.
4. Go out for a walk to get some fresh air and exercise.
5. Shut off your computer at the end of the day. This way, you won’t be tempted to check emails or messages from work.
6. Start that new hobby you always wanted to do but needed more time.

All of these different methods of improving work-life balance can be a starting point for employees to boost their mental health.

Business Owners Need to Focus on the Mental Health of their Employees

Currently, mental health is a major issue in the workplace, especially for remote employees. It is important that employers make efforts to provide their employees with the right resources and support. Having employees that are in a healthy mental state is important for all companies.

As we begin normalizing the remote work setting in our lives, let’s not forget the importance of employees’ mental health. Business owners can successfully lead a strong and productive company by having satisfied and healthy employees on their team.