As we hit the end of the first quarter of 2021, it’s safe to say that the impacts of the pandemic are still continuing to change the corporate landscape as we once knew it. As more businesses and their employees swap the city sky rises for their own home office, many are still adapting to newly flexible schedules, virtual communication channels and new working environments.

With lockdown loneliness on the rise and 9-5 stability quickly changing, for business leaders making the transition to remote working, employee welfare has never been more important in order to remain successful during WFH.

(Source: Statista)

New data released by Statista found that 65% of the current corporate landscape are planning to still remain remote after restrictions are lifted, with an extra 58% claiming that they would look for another job instead of returning to the office. These figures suggest that working from home is here to stay, making remote employee welfare a top priority for business leaders who are planning to hand in the office keys for good.

The Impact Of Lockdown Working 

Working from home sounds like an idyllic solution during the rush hour commute on a dark winters morning. Swapping the office chair for the couch and work trousers for their comfy alternatives sounds nothing short of inviting, especially for those of us with a 9-5.

However, without successful office transition, many newly remote workers are finding themselves reportedly more stressed, anxious and isolated, especially during lockdown. As normal face-face levels of communication are taken away and strict 9-5 schedules turn into working late into the evening, many home office employees are struggling with the shift.

As lockdown life still remains the norm for many, the effects of both the pandemic and working from home have posed a large challenge to company leaders. With a new study by Nuffield Health revealing that a whopping 80% of remote workers are now struggling with their mental health, it’s imperative that employers prioritise employee welfare to reduce absenteeism and a decline in company success.

Employees suffering from mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression in response to lockdown working conditions are more likely to see levels of productivity fall as a result. According to Atlas Cloud, “an employee’s “ability to stay focused” on work was found to be the most negatively affected element of working from home for younger workers during the pandemic.”

The study found that employees under the age of 25 found that their ability to focus during working hours and complete tasks to their full ability fell by 26% as a result of their declining mental health.

This suggests that employees who feel both isolated and unsupported during the remote transition are less likely to perform well at work. In order to maintain company success and a harmonious WFH team, employee mental and physical welfare is the vital component that many business leaders are forgetting about.

How Can Employers Ensure Employee Welfare In Home Offices? 

If your a business leader looking to make the shift into remote work, look no further. We have collated our top tips on how you can ensure employee welfare during WFH for ultimate business success and employee satisfaction. From increased connection to ergonomic care, read on to find out how you make a remote transition that prioritises both the employees and the business.

Stay Connected 

Since the beginning of lockdown, 75% of newly remote employees have reported using at least two new types of technology for work. Whether it’s Slack, Zoom or Microsoft Teams, company communication is vital to ensure employee welfare during the remote transition. 

(Source: Statista)

New statistics released by Microsoft have seen a 20 million download increase in the number of daily active users of their Microsoft communication channels since 2019, rising quickly to 75 million users in April 2020. As more companies swap the office for the couch, this communication tool is just one of many that have been utilised by business leaders.

Remaining connected is important in order to ensure employee welfare, as studies have shown that face-face interaction on video calling apps such as Zoom can reduce loneliness and symptoms of mental health. Colleagues that communicate frequently are more likely to perform better in team projects and feel motivated to remain on schedule and focused throughout their working day.

Virtual HR System

When working from home it’s important to not let HR fly out of the window if you’re striving to improve employee welfare. To ensure both mental and physical welfare amongst your fellow colleagues, it’s time to step up and set up a virtual HR system.

Whether it’s regular face to face virtual meetings with an HR professional or a series of wellness workshops over a video call, for ultimate success, staff need to feel listened to, supported and connected.

Make sure to set up a direct line of communication between your employees and your HR team. Whether you use email, messaging tools or virtual meeting rooms, employees who know that support is just a message away tend to feel more confident while making the shift to working from home. 

Supplying staff members with relevant helpful information is also key for a successful transition. Whether it’s tips on wellness, contact numbers or new guides on how to use remote company software, keeping your employees informed and updated will help them adapt and feel less alone in their new home office environment.

Ergonomic Welfare 

In order to ensure that colleagues feel fully supported while working from home, physical health is also imperative to maintain if you want to see higher levels of success and productivity in the workplace. According to research, as much as 75% of adults need some form of vision correction.

According to a recent study by RSPH, 48% of people who work from home said that they had developed musculoskeletal problems as a result of working from their couch or their bed during the working day. To combat this, employers need to supply ergonomic work aids to help improve physical welfare.

From blue light glasses to prevent eye strain for screen heavy workers to posture supporting chairs to aid the reduction of musculoskeletal issues, ergonomic work aids improve employee welfare in the long term. With less ergonomic based absenteeism, enjoy a happier and healthier workforce.

As more business leaders swap the office for a new remote corporate landscape, employees will continue to adapt and move online for a new digital future. Prioritising employee welfare is just the start of the transition, but an important contributor to tomorrow’s success.