This is a great time to remind ourselves of the unique pressures many of us are facing whilst we work remotely and the key role business leaders and senior managers can play in supporting their colleagues.
Constant
video conferences. Intermissions of complete isolation. Difficulties in getting
the support we need to do our jobs. These problems are challenging our
productivity – and our mental health.
We
can no longer just pop over to IT to fix a problem. Or quickly ask a colleague
for some clarification on a project. And we must also always be on the alert,
just in case someone needs us.
Why are video calls so fatiguing?
Well first off, they’re all basically the same. Imagine going to the same venue for every single event in your life. That’s our working life right now. It’s a bit repetitive – even if you dress it up as a virtual pub lunch.
They also fail to replicate what we’re accustomed to in real conversation. We have to concentrate extra hard to pick up on things like expression or tone. And silence is natural when we talk face to face, but it causes anxiety when we’re remote. And if the tech isn’t working as it should do, then it’s doubly stressful.
But mostly, meetings cause fatigue because they often require your full, sustained attention. Whether you’re speaking to clients or colleagues, most of us will find that we need to be fully alert and attentive. Ensuring we bring value to the meeting. And with more meetings than ever, that takes a lot of mental energy. Not surprising then that we’re feeling tired and fatigued.
How
is remote working affecting our mental health?
Many
of the challenges facing society as a whole are exacerbated by remote working.
And it’s different for everyone because everyone’s home life is different. But
there are some common factors affecting our mental health.
In 2019, a survey conducted by DigitalOcean concluded that 82% of US tech professionals who work remotely reported feeling fatigued. 52% claimed they worked longer hours. And 40% felt they had to contribute more than those who worked in the office.
Added
stress
Remote
working is piling on the pressure for individuals across the UK. Not only are
we having to find the right balance between working from home and our other
responsibilities, but we’re constantly hearing about job insecurity and
economic downturn in the media.
And uncertainty around money has a very negative impact on mental health.
Adapting
to new routines
Many of us have been going through the motions for a while. Our bodies and minds have acclimatised to a certain way of living. We’ve nailed down a routine that works for us and our jobs.
But those routines have been shattered. Our eating habits and sleeping patterns have suddenly changed. And trying to adjust to those changes on top of everything else can impact on our mental health.
How
can business leaders support their employees against exhaustion?
Managing
your employees while remote working is a major challenge. But it can be just as
easy to do too much as do too little. Here are some quick tips for supporting
colleague fatigue, relieving stress and anxiety, and enabling them to work
effectively.
Trust
your employees
Trust
people to do their job. Don’t micromanage. Lack of trust can lead to bouts of
anxiety, depression and loneliness.
Don’t
use the same methods of communication every time. Pick up the phone, use
project collaboration tools, and keep emails succinct.
Rules on career progression, personal welfare and your team members’ experience or ability still apply. New staff need extra support. Learning and development is still crucial. And your people still need to feel like they’re moving forward – not that they’re on pause.
Review
your collaboration technology and tools
Trying
to use collaboration tools that are tricky to use or perhaps just don’t work
as well as they could, is a significant frustration for remote workers.
Ensuring the technology you have is right is key. So ask them if they find them
easy to use. If you find they are struggling, involve them early in the process
of assessing the issues and finding new tech. Making sure the new solutions are
truly fit for purpose and adaptable to meet changing requirements.
Help your employees thrive by encouraging a sense of community and pull everyone together with a clear and transparent goal.
Ricoh’s
Work Together, Anywhere campaign
“We
help organisations of all sizes to deliver business-as-usual by enabling
intelligent remote working – even at times of disruption. Our end-to-end remote
solutions are user-friendly, secure and scale to meet your needs.”
Not only will they ease the transition and alleviate stress for your people, but they’ll also enhance productivity and performance.
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