Over the last 8 months, there have been drastic changes in the way we live and work. With more and more people working from home, employers are faced with the challenge of creating sustainable working patterns for their employees.

Lumina Learning has been exploring the impact of Covid-19 on remote working on our mental health during lockdown.

Research findings* between June and September 2020, based on over 4000 participants, across the US, EMEA and APAC focused on Leaders, Managers and White-collar workers show that more individuals would like remote working to become a permanent shift. Employees are also looking for more connection with their colleagues and organisations, emotional support and practical and technical support.

On average, those working during the lockdown have experience a 5% decrease in productivity whereas others have felt more productive and an increase in their autonomy by 45% and 43% of people surveyed have reported working more hours.

Even though negative feelings have increased during the crisis as people are feeling more anxious, disconnected from their colleagues and organisations, isolated, excluded and lonely,48% of people surveyed would still prefer to work from home some of the time and 30% of people would like to work from home most of the time. There are several reasons for people wanting to work from home. On top of the list, is saving time due to not commuting followed by better work/life balance, increase in autonomy and productivity, saving money due to not commuting, better sleep and more time for family, friends and hobbies.

Equally, the reasons for not wanting to work from home are just as compelling. The number one reason cited is that people want to be better connected with their colleagues. They want their colleagues on hand to support them and it is also an opportunity for them to socialise. Individuals also want to create better boundaries between their work and home life. Some people have expressed the inability to focus whilst they are working from home due to too many distractions.

So how can employers create healthy and sustainable working patterns as remote working is increasingly becoming a more permanent shift in the current climate? 

Based on our findings*, employees are seeking additional support from employers in the following ways:

• How work more effectively from home
• Stress management
• Balancing responsibilities between work and home
• Where and how to find emotional support
• Technical support
• How to manage new and changing priorities
• How to manage workload
• How to grow and develop in their role
• How to manage their work environment
• Changes to processes and procedures
• How changes at work may impact staff objectives and stakeholders
• How to get additional support from management
• How to request additional equipment and resources 

Please feel free to download the PDF from the British Psychological society on “How to create healthy and sustainable working during Covid-19 and beyond”.

British Psychological Society – Working from Home

At Advise Tree, we run virtual team workshops to help organisations create high performing teams and combat isolation, stress, anxiety and loneliness during the pandemic and beyond. We also provide one on one tailored coaching programmes to support individuals with their personal development and goal setting. Please visit our website www.advise-tree.com for more information or email us at info@advise-tree.com.

*” Exploring Research findings on the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on our personalities and mental health” by Dr Stewart Desson, CEO Lumina Learning