Mental Health at Work for Hybrid Working
Mental Health at Work for Hybrid Working It’s clear from over the last few years that hybrid working benefits many people. Some find it improves their work-life balance, health, or gives them more time to do other things such as spend more time with family or take up a sport or new hobby. With their commute to work being less frequent, some feel they are more satisfied with their job, which encourages people to stay at a company for longer. Some might find working remotely to be perfect for them, and they can easily connect with people online through a screen and don’t feel the need to go into an office 5 days a week if their work can easily be done from anywhere. However, others might prefer the hybrid setting so they can at least see their coworkers and managers on a regular basis if they like to have face-to-face interaction. If you’re struggling with your mental health and feel working fully remote or working in an office 5 days a week impacts this, here are a few things you can do to get the most out of a hybrid work setting: Build connections It’s important to connect with other members of the team, so you could try having a quick catch-up meeting, do meetings like workshops in-person, or do some team building activities. This can look different for everyone, and some may prefer to connect online rather than in-person. Others might prefer group meetings in the office. Try out different approaches and see which one fits. Make sure there are boundaries in place Ask your boss what a hybrid setting might look like at the company, and plan your days accordingly. Managers should let their staff know their expectations on how many days per week they should come into the office, and offer flexibility wherever possible. This can help to create a good routine and allows people to plan their work. Another tip is to do some ‘deep work’, where you block out some time in your calendar and concentrate on a task for a chunk of time. It lets others know not to disturb you by randomly calling or messaging on Teams. Deep work allows you to do more difficult tasks and create higher quality work more quickly. This might look different in an office though, or might not be possible at all if you are in an open-plan office. Speak with your manager about ways to help you concentrate and work more effectively. Having a manager aware of remote working A manager can check in with their staff to see how they’re doing even when working from home – just sending an email or shooting a Teams message might help. Calling randomly out of the blue or even micromanaging people isn’t the approach people want from their managers, so a good balance is key. Managers might also be able to do some extra training on mental health and well-being. A manager should also be aware of potential signs of declining mental health in the workplace. By taking the time to check in with colleagues, it creates a more personal experience and shows you care about the person, not just how much work they’re getting done. Listen to your body Staring at a computer screen all day can strain your eyes, be draining on your mental health, and impact your physical health, whether it be in the office or working at home. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, drinking plenty, eating well, and doing exercise. Listen to your body and know when it’s time to take a break. Or, try something like the Pomodoro Technique, which utilizes fixed time intervals for focused work, usually for about 25 minutes, followed by short breaks. Ask for help If you’re struggling with burnout or certain things related to your job, talk to your manager or an understanding colleague. Some companies offer a company doctor who might be able to help. If you’re unable to resolve the matter with them, speak to HR or someone else you know can support you. Your wellbeing in the workplace is very important. Health is wealth, and if you don’t have your health, you will be unable to do your job properly and may likely struggle. Talking to someone can alleviate stress and put things into perspective. If you’re struggling to work from home, ask your manager if you can do more days in the office. Equally, if you’re suffering from being in an office all the time, perhaps a hybrid or even fully remote job is better for you. Finding out what works best for you is only going to improve your mental health and well-being, and if you’re lucky enough to have a flexible employer, they will work with you to ensure this. Editor: Alice Scott Connect with Alice: Blog Globe-americas Linkedin Facebook Bio: Alice joined Oswestry Job Vacancies as a content writer in 2024. She has a Masters degree in Sustainable Mountain Development and a Bachelors in Hospitality & Tourism Management. With international experience having lived and worked in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, she speaks German as a second language and has worked in marketing in the areas of mountain research and development, tourism, supply chain management, and in ski resorts in the Alps. In 2022, she created Alpine Society, a mountain tourism network for mountain enthusiasts wanting to work and study in mountain tourism. Her career interests include anything to do with creative writing, content creation and social media management, and her personal hobbies include hiking, figure skating, and nature photography. Bio: Alice joined Oswestry Job Vacancies as a content writer in 2024. She has a Masters degree in Sustainable Mountain Development and a Bachelors in Hospitality & Tourism Management. With international experience having lived and worked in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, she speaks German as a second language and has worked in marketing in the areas of mountain research and development, tourism, supply chain management, and in