Remote employees benefit from the flexibility of their working arrangements, avoiding the stresses of daily commuting and finding a favourable work-life balance. Consequently, this contributes to improved productivity and performance within an organisation, while also resulting in significant savings on infrastructure and maintenance expenses.
Remote work has its negative consequences, even though it is a popular concept. Prolonged isolation, hybrid office arrangements, and health issues related to work can have long-lasting impacts on the well-being of individuals engaged in remote work.
Regardless of whether the work is conducted on-site or off-site, employers bear the legal obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. By providing adequate support and implementing effective risk monitoring measures, employers can create an environment where remote workers feel involved, motivated, and empowered to navigate these challenging times. If you need to recruit new remote employees in the London area for creative positions in your company, consider the best creative recruitment agencies London.
Understanding the Concept of Telecommuting
A remote employee refers to an individual who performs their job duties away from the traditional office environment. The nature of their work arrangement allows them to carry out tasks without being directly monitored or having access to typical office resources.
According to the available data, in the year 2020, a significant proportion of UK employees, approximately 46.6%, opted to work remotely or from their homes. However, it is essential to emphasise that employers are obligated to prioritise the health and safety of remote workers in the same manner as they would for any other employee.
As the restrictions from nationwide lockdowns are lifted, an increasing number of businesses are opting to adopt a hybrid working model on a permanent basis. Consequently, employers need to prioritise the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees more than ever before.
Legal Responsibilities
While remote workers find themselves thriving in new work settings, they still face potential risks and hazards.
Individuals who work remotely tend to encounter a higher probability of encountering difficulties related to their work. This arises from the inherent inability to exercise complete control over potential risks, which becomes an unavoidable challenge.
The UK has established legislation that defines the responsibility of employers towards their remote employees: The 1999 Regulations on Managing Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Legal compliance with regulations ensures that employers prioritise the safety and well-being of their employees while also reducing potential risks in the workplace.
The adverse impacts of remote work can lead to unanticipated outcomes. As per the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), approximately 828,000 employees experienced work-related stress and anxiety, resulting in an estimated loss of 17.9 million workdays. There are various potential repercussions that can arise from this situation.
- Loneliness and isolation are common experiences that individuals may encounter.
- Separation from colleagues and the work environment.
- Coping with psychological strain and exhaustion
- Physical ailments resulting from poorly organised workstations.
Ensuring Remote Workers’ Wellness: How to Take Care of Their Wellbeing?
Remote workers can be considered as individuals working alone and potentially vulnerable in certain circumstances. However, there are a variety of approaches to support their well-being that can be implemented. For instance:
Establishing Clear Limits Between Work and Personal Life
In today’s increasingly technologically driven world, the prevalence of constant connectivity leads to feelings of detachment. It is important for remote workers to understand that taking breaks and recharging at the end of the workday is not something to feel guilty about.
Employers have the responsibility to establish schedules or plans in which tasks are accomplished within suitable time periods. Additionally, it is important for employers to encourage employees to take regular breaks and distance themselves from their workstations. By fostering open communication channels on a daily basis, employers can effectively mitigate potential signs of excessive workload and prevent work-related stress triggers from arising.
Embracing Consistent Individual Sessions
It is essential for all work relationships to exhibit a sense of comfort and empathy between employers and employees. Providing accessible guidance and assistance serves as valuable support for individuals working remotely.
Conduct regular individual meetings and attentively address any concerns or issues raised by the participants, regardless of whether they pertain to work or other matters.
With these dialogues, you will gain the ability to comprehend employees on an emotional level, enabling you to identify any indications of stress or job-related pressure and help them feel appreciated as valuable members of the team.
Offering Both Physical and Emotional Assistance
Employers have the option to offer tangible assistance to their employees by providing ergonomic equipment. To promote physical well-being, remote workers can be provided with tools such as keyboard rests, support cushions, risers, and ergonomic chairs.
For individuals who work remotely, extended periods of separation and solitude can significantly affect their mental well-being and perspective.
By promoting a culture where open communication is the norm, you can effectively address indicators of stress, social anxiety, and burnout that arise from work.
Leading by Example
Workers have the tendency to unknowingly adopt negative behaviours from their colleagues. Therefore, it is important to foster a collective mindset that places importance on well-being rather than solely on meeting deadlines and achieving targets. By setting a positive example, you can influence and inspire your employees to do the same.
Making small adjustments such as prioritising regular lunch breaks and refraining from responding to emails after work hours can greatly contribute to improving the well-being of employees. As a result, business productivity can be significantly enhanced.
Cultivating a Community of Support
While working remotely, certain individuals may face inherent challenges that put them at a disadvantage. This could be due to their lack of experience in remote work, such as being new to the company and needing additional assistance or not being proficient in technology.
To enhance the capabilities of employees, it is beneficial for organisations to offer additional IT and communication assistance that includes information, training, and ongoing support. Employers can also consider implementing Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that provide comprehensive support for both physical health guidance and mental well-being.
By fulfilling these criteria and prioritising the welfare of employees, individuals will reciprocate their gratitude towards the organisation.
The core foundation of a business has undergone a permanent transformation, much like the unspoken guidelines of taking work home.
