Homeworkers have increased their work hours by about 25% during the outbreak, and more than two-thirds feel burned out. With remote lockdown work blurring the line between our personal and professional life, employee burnout has reached alarming levels. In reality, in the first week of the year, more than 70% of employees felt burnt out while working remotely. Its most recent research revealed that 37 per cent of employees struggled to disconnect from their work from home.
As restrictions ease and companies begin to plan their return from the pandemic and recovery, a new outbreak in employee health could impede the business’s growth and impact people’s health over the long run.
But the UK government insists on a “gradual return” only to the workplace over the summer; we offer our top suggestions for employees and businesses who continue to battle exhaustion at home.
#1 – Set boundaries
Before the outbreak, the absence of mental health was the leading reason for long-term sick days in UK workplaces. Work-related stress was the most common cause.
Covid-19 has made this even more difficult by blurring the lines between work and life and the sense that you are “always on”, seriously compromising the well-being of employees. In a recent survey conducted by OSiT investigating the effects on the well-being of working remotely, over 50% (51 per cent) reported that their mental health was adversely affected by WFH.
“UK employees have increased their working hours by as high as 25% since the outbreak.’
Therefore, even though organizations like the Mental Health Foundation have advised executives to remain in regular contact with employees, it is essential to ensure that it is the correct type of interaction. Regular check-ins with your employees are crucial to reduce the loneliness of working from home, but these should be focused on individuals’ well-being, not the performance of your workplace.
In reality, UK workers have increased their work hours by 25% in the course of the epidemic, and many report an obligation to answer emails outside of hours which they’d never had to do in the office. In the end, to prevent the adverse effects of a culture of absenteeism, employers must take the lead in inviting all employees to plan urgent work emails to be sent out the following day and calling for the concept of a “hard stop” when people quit their jobs.
#2 – Have choices
The young are most impacted by the pandemic, particularly regarding their health. Many works in small spaces, shared rooms, or non-convenient and professional office spaces. In these circumstances, it’s not surprising to witness the rise of frustration and burnout at the beginning of a person’s career.
Changing the scenery can be among the most valuable tools to fight burnout. If you do not allow desk-based employees to work from a different location than at home, companies offer “false flexibility” to their team members.
To address this issue, business owners should provide employees with the option of working in a flexible office and alternative places such as cafes and co-working spaces at any time needed to meet their requirements. The use of flexible workspace operators – who provide a contained office space with a suitable capacity and the number of days each week – may be the best solution, as the guidance from the government calls for a staggered return to work.
#3 – Control your actions
Control is an effective way to combat burnout. With no consistent schedules, the lines between personal and work time may become more difficult to discern, leading to presenteeism and making it difficult to turn off.
It is essential to feel confident to adhere to the routine of work and sleeping and be consistent about these. Planning your commute time, whatever the reason, whether headed to work or your living room – can help you make the necessary distinction between work and home life.
Creating to-do lists and keeping a close eye on your workload can give you peace and control. However, creating a supportive workplace culture where employees know there’s no shame in seeking assistance, especially when confronted with additional stress or personal obligations like childcare, is essential.
#4 – Perform a good recovery
While someone is present doesn’t mean they’re productive. The work-from-home lifestyle has left workers with the impression that they must always be on call. However, having breaks in between is essential to reduce stress. In addition, homework has meant a lot less movement of our bodies and more time sat on laptops, which could affect our physical health.
In reality, frequent interruptions and time off from screens help recover between tasks and eventually boost productivity. Therefore, employers must be aware. By arranging in-person and virtual events, like yoga classes, coffee mornings, and team-building days, employers can create a culture that recognizes and reaps the benefits of taking breaks.
Smarter strategies
Working from home has made people feel exhausted and unable to disconnect from their work. With the ease of legal regulations after more than a decade of lockdowns, it’s not surprising that workers want to return to work. According to recent research conducted by OSiT, only 5 per cent of workers would like to work remotely permanently.
For many, particularly those just starting their careers, The WFH experience can leave them feeling lonely, demotivated, and increasingly disengaged from corporate society. Therefore, as companies try to regain their sanity from the epidemic, It is vital to ensure that leaders have flexible work strategies, tackling burnout from the source and providing workers with the benefits of being in person, including workplace/life balance and the community we rely on in the office.
