Hybrid workers

Increasingly workplaces are becoming more flexible to the needs of their staff. Hybrid working is perhaps the best example of this principle, offering staff greater work-life balance and autonomy over their working schedule. However, it can also present challenges. Hybrid working can lead to an erosion of the boundaries between professional and personal life, leaving employees feeling unable to ‘switch off’ from their job. The isolation from colleagues, increase of screen time, and interruption of normal routines can compound to create mental health challenges for home workers. 

Whilst it can seem difficult to support your out of office staff, there are ways to reach out and offer help. Implementing policies such as ‘offline hours’ or ‘no contact after six’ can help staff to separate their work and home life and get much needed rest. It can also be a good policy to encourage employees to have dedicated ‘focus hours’ during work time can help them to not feel like they have to be available at all times, despite the blurred boundaries of working in your home. Simple policies like these can go a long way to helping hybrid staff to maintain good mental health practices. 

Supporting  employees on long-term mental health leave

In the UK 20% of workers have taken time off for stress in the last year as long-term sickness absences have reached a record high. Employers need to balance supporting staff with long-term illnesses whilst minimising collateral damage to the organisation. Whilst there is no legal requirement to have a mental health leave policy, introducing one can help to establish procedures and demystify the process. This should involve absent employees being kept in touch with and welfare reviews after significant appointments. Organisations should also have a formal return to work process established with interviews and opportunities for phased return. Exhibiting understanding and compassion for affected employees can minimise the stress involved in their transition back to work. 

When employees are outside the office, for example on long-term leave or hybrid working, they can fall victim to ‘out of sight, out of mind’. This can have negative impacts on the staff and the organisation, so taking time to consider how best to support absent employees could prove to be essential. 

If you would like more information about how to support the mental wellbeing of staff, check out our Revive wellbeing sessions