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Working from home safely and productively

During the coronavirus outbreak, many people are either already working from home or are likely to have to work from home for a period of time. To cope with the stresses of work and overcome life’s daily challenges, it is important we stay as mentally well as possible. This can help us better overcome challenges, build healthy relationships and work more productively.

With this in mind, here are some tips for employees and managers that will help support everyone’s mental health.

If you need to work from home, you should:

• maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting time limits
• create a separate office or workspace, if possible
• move around every hour, and go outside once a day (if it’s responsible to do so)
• choose a good chair and set up your computer properly
• keep connected to colleagues and communicate daily with your manager
• set a work schedule for the day and stick to it
• shower, and dress comfortably, as if you’re going to the office
• keep the kitchen stocked with healthy snacks and meals.

If you are a small business owner, or a manager with a team working from home, you should:

• ensure employees are aware of resources to support their mental health and wellbeing
• be aware that individual circumstances vary and consider options to support each team member’s needs
• provide strong IT support and guidelines for remote working so employees can be fully productive
• be mindful of the disruption that potential school closures may cause to families
• agree on working hours that employees know they are not expected to work beyond
• touch base with each team member daily and have regular longer one-to-one meetings
• remind employees to work in ways that are kind to their mind and body
• maintain regular virtual team meetings
• advise teams to stay as connected as possible
• remember that being a manager doesn’t make you immune to the same stresses as your employees and that you need to look after yourself too.