# How to protect your employees’ mental health while remote working
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-02-01
Category: BUSINESS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business
Meta Title: Top Tips for Supporting Remote Workers' Wellbeing
Meta Description: Discover practical strategies for maintaining staff wellbeing and productivity during remote work. Learn how to tackle coronavirus concerns, provide personal
URL: https://financedigest.com/how-to-protect-your-employees-mental-health-while-remote-workinghtml

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_By **Brendan Street,** Professional Head of Emotional Wellbeing,_ [_Nuffield Health_](https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/emotional-wellbeing)

According to our whitepaper – [_The effects of remote working on stress, wellbeing and productivity_](https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/working-remotely-whitepaper) -mental health issues could develop more frequently amongst remote workers, as they may find themselves separated from communication channels and support mechanisms.

Nuffield Health’s research also shows spending more than 2.5 days a week working away from the office is associated with deterioration in co-worker relationships and job satisfaction **.**

However,there are plenty of things employers can do to support their staff’s wellbeing and ensure business productivity while remote working.

**Tackle coronavirus head-on**

_Make sure, company health protocols are clear and accessible while incidents like the current coronavirus epidemic continue to unfurl. This means keeping staff [informed on the steps you’re taking as a company](https://www.financedigest.com/healthcare-information-systems-market-2021-global-leading-companies-analysis-revenue-trends-and-forecasts-2027.html "Healthcare Information Systems Market 2021 Global Leading Companies Analysis, Revenue, Trends and Forecasts 2027") and what to do if you’re feeling unwell_

_Share the latest updates and_ [_health guidelines_](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/) _on the virus to keep employees in the loop, however, be careful about how often you’re sharing information. Key daily updates are fine, but employees shouldn’t be overwhelmed with distressing news updates, multiple times a day._

**Get personal**

_Many employees are going to experience symptoms of distress and anxiety as the virus reaches its peak. In addition to this,_ _[home working can negatively impact](https://www.financedigest.com/problems-at-home-impact-employee-creativity-more-than-problems-at-work.html "Problems at home impact employee creativity more than problems at work") resilience, the process of negotiating, managing and adapting to significant sources of stress or trauma._

_It’s important to provide employees with coping mechanisms and to_ _create_ _a range of_ [_personalised interventions_](https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/corporate-wellbeing/path) _to meet the needs of your remote workforce and effectively reduce stress and burnout_

_Staff who express signs of distress should be [guided towards further emotional support](https://www.financedigest.com/a-sensitive-guide-to-supporting-your-female-colleagues-in-the-workplace.html "A sensitive guide to supporting your female colleagues in the workplace"). It may be that anxiety [around coronavirus is a noticeable sign of pre-existing or wider emotional struggles](https://www.financedigest.com/after-fleeing-war-ukrainians-struggle-to-settle-around-europe.html "After fleeing war, Ukrainians struggle to settle around Europe")._

_In these cases, highlight existing workplace offerings like employee assistance programmes (EAPs) which offer direct, confidential contact with counsellors and [mental health](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-maintain-physical-and-mental-health-while-working-from-home.html "How to maintain physical and mental health while working from home") experts._

_[Consider inviting an expert to give a virtual company](https://www.financedigest.com/should-your-company-be-considering-a-hybrid-cloud-strategy.html "Should your company be considering a hybrid-cloud strategy?") talk on general coping mechanisms for anxiety. This may help those who are worried about speaking to managers or employers about their fears._

**Set boundaries**

_When it comes to remote working, it can be easier for employees to work longer [hours](https://www.financedigest.com/madrid-street-sweepers-death-prompts-curbs-on-heatwave-working-hours.html "Madrid street-sweeper’s death prompts curbs on heatwave working hours") and take less breaks to get more work done._

_To prevent this, make sure you [keep work](https://www.financedigest.com/why-employers-rocked-by-the-great-resignation-must-keep-working-mothers-on-board.html "Why employers rocked by the Great Resignation must keep working mothers on board ") communication within employees’ official hours and encourage them to work within this timeframe too._

_Trust between the [manager and the employee is vital for remote working](https://www.financedigest.com/new-research-suggests-over-13-million-brits-were-inadequately-managed-while-working-remotely.html "NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS OVER 13 MILLION BRITS WERE INADEQUATELY MANAGED WHILE WORKING REMOTELY*") to succeed for both sides. There must be regular communication with the manager and wider team, with agreements on set, clear [times employees will be contactable and ways they can contact their line](https://www.financedigest.com/in-line-transit-time-ultrasonic-flow-meters-sales-are-set-to-be-valued-at-us-337-5-mn-in-2021.html "In-Line Transit Time Ultrasonic Flow Meters sales are set to be valued at US$ 337.5 Mn in 2021") manager, so they don’t feel isolated._

_Set hours should be reviewed regularly in this [time of uncertainty](https://www.financedigest.com/adapting-payments-to-reassure-consumers-and-safeguard-profitability-during-times-of-uncertainty.html "Adapting payments to reassure consumers and safeguard profitability during times of uncertainty") and shared calendars can help employees feel more structured and know when to ‘clock off’_

_Remember, your employees are probably worried about a whole host of other issues [since the latest](https://www.financedigest.com/britain-lifts-rates-by-most-since-1995-latest-to-deliver-aggressive-hikes.html "Britain lifts rates by most since 1995, latest to deliver aggressive hikes") announcement, so taking any worry or fear out of remote working will make their lives considerably easier._

**Communicate carefully**

_Communication needs to be tailored to the correct demographic too. More senior workers may [need fewer management](https://www.financedigest.com/looking-to-buy-a-rental-property-heres-why-you-need-a-property-manager.html "Looking to Buy a Rental Property? Here’s Why You Need a Property Manager") catchups, with perhaps weekly phone calls being enough._

_Younger employees, with less experience, may [need more regular communication to feel supported](https://www.financedigest.com/hung-out-to-dry-smes-need-further-support-to-stay-afloat.html "Hung Out to Dry: SMEs need further support to stay afloat")._

_Build out your engagement strategy by assessing how different demographics want to be communicated with. The most obvious answer for many modern employees is mobile. People are on their phones most of the time, so getting company updates on their devices ensures they’re receiving your [communication on the right platform](https://www.financedigest.com/cloud-communication-platform-market-2022-scope-of-current-and-future-industry-2030.html "Cloud Communication Platform Market 2022 | Scope of Current and Future Industry 2030")._

_However, you’ll need multiple ‘touchpoints’ when [sharing company](https://www.financedigest.com/aragonite-market-size-2022-2027-by-trends-share-growth-company-profiles.html "Aragonite Market Size 2022-2027 by Trends, Share, Growth, Company Profiles:") news and updates and for older remote workers, this might include more traditional communication like formal, company emails._


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