Businesses urged to support mental health of remote workers
A leading law firm in Derbyshire is urging employers to look at ways of creating a positive work environment for staff working from home
Smith Partnership, a leading law firm based in Derbyshire, says with a rise in remote staff businesses should consider how they cater to the emotional wellbeing of those that are not in the office, especially if they wish to avoid discrimination complaints.
Alexandra Bullmore, leading employment law specialist at Smith Partnership, has advice more about how employers can ensure their staff, both office-based and remote, are treated fairly: “The proportion of workers in the UK who work from home was relatively low until the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since then, the numbers have grown, and there has been an increase in hybrid working.”
“Employees may find it difficult to separate work and home life when working from home, causing more stress. It is important to establish the boundaries of working time and to ensure that the adequate rest breaks are taken, such as confirming whether employees are taking their dedicated lunch breaks.”
Home working is believed to be having an impact on people’s mental health, as a survey carried out by the Royal Society for Public Health states that 67% of people who work from home said that they felt less connected to their colleagues and 56% said that they found it harder to switch off.
Research carried out by the RSPH also shows that women are more likely to feel isolated than men (58% of women V 39% of men), whilst nearly half (48%) of people who work from a sofa or bedroom said they had developed musculoskeletal problems, and nearly two thirds (59%) said they felt more isolated from their colleagues.
“It is important to keep regular contact with employees. It is easy for this to be dismissed when employees are working from home and not present in the office. This is to help them feel supported and ensure they are not being forgotten about.
“Employers should consider steps to provide appropriate supervision, monitor any work, hours, and stress levels of employees."