Over the past few years, the way we work has changed, with many Brits now working in remote or hybrid roles.
What’s more, employees can now make calls and access messages, emails, and files wherever they are, including outside of working hours.
While this may be more convenient at times, the ability and often expectation for employees to be always-on and contactable can have a significant impact on a person’s wellbeing.
In fact, according to research by Benenden Health, 58% of employees think work has negatively impacted their mental wellbeing. Another recent study revealed that those who experience high levels of workplace digital stress are also likely to experience poor recovery, higher levels of burnout, and poor work-life balance.
To help employers and managers navigate the pressure that employees are facing, Benenden Health has shared guidance for reducing the risks of an always-on work environment.
1. Establish reasonable communication expectations
Many workers like to send emails outside of working hours, perhaps because it’s the only time they have in their day to do so, or they feel more productive either first thing in the morning or in the evening.
While this may work well for those individuals, it is important that others on their team know that they don’t have to do the same, and that emails do not require a response on the day they are sent. Managers should communicate clear and consistent expectations of the time frame within which emails should be responded to, being mindful that this should be realistic and based on working hours.
For those who tend to send emails before or after their ‘official’ working hours, it can be helpful to include a line in the signature of your email stipulating that you do not expect a response outside of normal office hours.
2. Encourage employees to take breaks
When work is particularly busy, or if your team has just experienced a stressful period, then it can be easy to forget to take breaks – or feel guilty for doing so.
Whether employees are in the office or working from home, encourage them to take regular breaks away from their computer screens. This could be as simple as ensuring they are leaving their desks during their lunch breaks, getting up to speak to colleagues rather than emailing, or popping outside for some fresh air.
Studies have also shown that those who exercise more often are likely to be more productive and higher achievers than those who rarely exercise. To help your team prioritise their physical and mental health, consider facilitating exercise during the working day, for example with a morning yoga session or lunchtime running club.
3. Set an example of clear boundaries
Boundaries in the workplace are important and with the growing discourse of ‘quiet quitting’ and burnout, they are crucial to supporting employee’s wellbeing.
As a manager or employer, lead by example when it comes to establishing your boundaries. This might include:
- That you have set times during the day to check emails to avoid it being a constant distraction
- That you avoid booking regular meetings over lunch times where possible
- That you can take personal appointments during the day
- That you allocate an hour each day for focused work
Take time to speak to your employees or the people you line manage about what boundaries are important to them, and that will help them to be more productive and maintain a work-life balance.
4. Develop mental health support systems
As many as 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health issue in a year. It is, therefore,essential that employers provide adequate mental health support for their workers.
Examples of this include offering mental health training to line managers and providing employees access to a mental health helpline with qualified therapists. Similarly, you could introduce regular mental health days, for people to take the day away from work and focus on their wellbeing.
Another great way to provide a sense of togetherness and fulfilment for your employees, while also giving back to your local or wider community, is to introduce team volunteering days and programmes.
Different people will want access to, or respond best to, different types of support. By introducing a range of accessible mental health policies, you will be actively demonstrating that mental wellbeing is a priority to the business.
Rebecca Mian, Head of HR at Benenden Health comments: “Burnout and stress can have a significant impact on both our mental and physical health, such as poor quality of sleep and anxiety.
“Of course, there are lots of steps we can take as individuals to try to improve our wellbeing. However, work takes up a significant part of our lives and if the issues within the workplace contributing to these feelings of stress, or being ‘always-on’, aren’t addressed, then it can be very difficult to manage.
“It is therefore essential for employers to provide adequate support for their employees and lead by example when it comes to implementing effective wellbeing policies. Investing in mental health support at work is not only beneficial for the individual employees, but can increase the overall productivity and morale of your team.”
When it comes to planning your wellbeing provisions, Benenden Health have identified five steps to help you develop an effective health and wellbeing strategy.
