Communication is key, but don’t go overboard

Ever noticed how easy it is to go a whole day without having a proper conversation with anyone on days you work from home?

Once in a while that can feel like a revelation, a chance to really knuckle down and get things done. But too many days without a face-to-face over Zoom (or even better, IRL) can become draining. While written communication tools like Slack and Teams often make work more efficient, you can lose out on things like humour and small talk - the social glue that makes work more rewarding. 

But like all good things, moderation is key. Too many calls for the sake of it could be read as a lack of trust. The best thing is to ask your team what works for them - some may love a chance to catch-up daily one-to-one, while others might prefer a weekly team meeting.

Are you sitting comfortably?

Our bodies aren’t designed to sit for long hours, let alone at a kitchen table that’s serving as a desk. Make sure that you and your team know what a good desk setup looks like to stop the odd ache or pain from becoming chronic. 

Employers can help through education and awareness, from suggesting the best chairs to buy (or even better, funding them!) to sharing tips on healthy desk posture.

Develop healthy routines

We all know how easy it is for the lines between work and home to blur when your office is also your home. 

Setting a daily routine that clearly defines when work starts and home begins can really help. Discourage your team from working outside of set hours, while encouraging them to physically separate work from home. Ideally, they can do this by working in an area that’s separate to where they’d normally relax, but if that’s not possible even just encouraging them to store their laptop and work stuff out of sight is a good way to maintain boundaries.

Lead by example

Working through lunch might feel like the only option on a busy day, but the truth is that proper breaks allow you to approach things with a clear head. If you’re a manager, it’s even more important that you take regular breaks when you work from home to make sure you don’t burn out.

The more you prioritise acts of self-care – and crucially make them visible with your team – the more empowered other team members will feel to do the same. Just be careful not to preach: while a sweaty HIIT class might be your idea of de-stressing, it doesn’t mean it will be for others. Just gently remind them it’s important to prioritise whatever makes them feel good.

Provide support

Working from home for a long time can get lonely. Make sure you create a two-way dialogue with employees and respond to any concerns or challenges they are facing. Prepare for potential mental health implications of working alone and be supportive to those who need it. Consider offering access to meditation and mindfulness services, or even one-to-one counselling.

Join the Workplace Wellbeing Community on LinkedIn – a dedicated forum for HR and wellbeing professionals – to follow discussions on how to best cater for this new world of working.

Gift a massage

Take a load off their shoulders, literally, with a voucher for on-demand massage and wellness treatments. From dealing with back pain from sitting at a desk, to giving the mind a good rest with a relaxing massage, this treat can be beneficial in more than one way.

With an Urban gift card, your team can book massages, beauty and bodywork treatments at home from qualified and insured practitioners. With services in London and the South-East, Paris, Manchester and Birmingham, it’s the best way to reward remote workers on their terms.

Looking for an Urban therapist near you?

We operate in London, Paris, Birmingham and Manchester