Working from home, what’s not to like? The short commute to your office? Online meetings in your slippers and pyjama bottoms? A relaxed lunch enjoyed in your own kitchen? Your own space rather than a cramped cubicle, without the distraction of an open plan office or interruptions from bosses and co-workers? The freedom to take a quick coffee in the garden, enjoy a short power nap or collect the kids from school?
But there are downsides. You start to miss those chats around the coffee machine and the water cooler – the laughter, the gossip, the stories. You start feel more isolated and detached – it’s hard to build relationships, develop a team spirit and resolve issues when you seldom see anyone else face to face (even on the days you go in others are working from home). And switching off at the end of the day is so much harder when there’s no clear dividing line between your work life and your home life.
These negative factors can have serious consequences. The lack of social interaction, the sense of alienation, the intrusion of work into our private space, all of those things have a powerful and cumulative effect on our wellbeing and mental health.
What can we, and enlightened companies, do to counter these challenges? One of the most cost-effective solutions is to introduce a workplace mental wellbeing mentor or coach. They can provide employees with guidance and support, addressing challenges related to isolation, stress, anxiety and negative thinking. Mentors and coaches can also help to boost confidence and motivation that’s needed to help bring about the desired positive changes or even help establish work-life and home-life boundaries.
Implementing workplace mental well-being mentoring offers numerous advantages for both employees and businesses. Employees who participate in mentoring or coaching report higher job satisfaction, increased productivity, and reduced stress levels. Furthermore, these programs contribute to a positive work culture, enhancing employee engagement and retention rates.
Some degree of remote working is the new normal - so prioritising workplace wellbeing is no longer an option but a necessity. By acknowledging the negative impact of isolation and the longing for social interactions, businesses can take proactive steps to support their remote workforce. Workplace mental well-being mentoring and coaching serve as valuable tools, fostering mental and emotional health, and creating a connected and engaged remote workforce.
Would you like to chat about introducing workplace mental wellbeing Coaching and Mentoring into your company culture?
Email kirstie@kirstiesalter.co.uk to arrange an online meeting or phone call.
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