- Tokyo : 22:09 |
- Singapore : 21:09 |
- Dubai : 17:09 |
- London : 13:09 |
- New York : 08:09 |
- Sydney : 00:09
The modern workplace has its own set of challenges that can leave the employees stressed. The need to attend meetings and participate in training sessions on top of the work the employees actually have to do can be overwhelming. Moreover, there are some roles or duties that employees can perform with the same level of efficiency remotely.
All these considerations have urged many modern businesses to turn to remote and hybrid work settings.
The CEO of BA Barry Group and the founder of Geohoney, Mr. Basem Barry says
“No matter whether you are running a traditional office or one with hybrid settings, ensuring employee wellness is crucial to maintain consistency and boost productivity.”
This blog highlights ways businesses can ensure employee wellness in remote or hybrid settings. It also covers some basics of the hybrid work model to give you a better idea so keep on reading to learn more.
What are Hybrid and Remote Work Settings?
Impacts of Remote and Hybrid Work Settings on Employee Wellness
Ways To Promote Employee Wellness in Remote and Hybrid Settings
Regular Check-ins and Communication
Focus on Outcomes
More Autonomy for the Employees
Inclusive Decision-Making
Promote Mental Health
Celebrate Milestones
Let’s first look at remote work. As the name suggests this work model allows employees to work remotely or completely from outside the workplace.
With remote work, the employees get location independence and more autonomy in terms of when or how they do their work.
This setting is more focused on the outcomes rather than the hours an employee spends at their desk.
With remote work settings, businesses can save operational costs, get access to a broader talent pool, and make efforts for reducing carbon footprint by eliminating the need for employees to commute.
The hybrid work model combines both remote and traditional office environments.
In this case, the employees are allowed to split their time between working in the office and remotely either according to a fixed schedule (fixed hybrid) or according to their own preference (flexible hybrid).
The hybrid model gives employees the freedom to choose an environment where they feel the most comfortable.
This allows them to create a better work/life balance. For businesses, the hybrid setting leads to reduced costs, greater productivity, as well as stronger employee retention.
Following are a few points that highlight how hybrid and remote settings can enhance employee wellbeing
A study conducted at the University of Petersburgh reveals that states where more companies follow the hybrid or remote work setting, have a much lower rate of depression among the employees.
This model gives employees more flexibility in terms of where and how they work. This allows them to make time for their personal needs which leads to better work-life balance.
With more flexibility, the employees' stress levels are also reduced.
Employees who work in an environment of their choosing tend to be less burned out.
It has also been observed that businesses that go for hybrid settings instead of full-time in-person models have a much higher employee retention rate and a significant decrease in resignations.
Working in hybrid or remote settings also has its challenges. For starters, it reduces face-to-face time with colleagues which can lead to feelings of loneliness or disconnection.
It can also blur the boundaries between work and personal lives and can create communication challenges. All these factors can affect employee wellbeing and that can reduce productivity.
Fortunately, there are some strategies that businesses can implement to promote employee wellness in remote and hybrid settings and this is what we will be looking at in this section.
Regular communication and check-ins can foster a sense of belonging in remote or hybrid teams. Businesses can arrange virtual team-building activities or create opportunities for informal interactions via online platforms to strengthen team spirit.
Regular check-ins and open communication can allow managers to discuss workloads and address challenges faced by the employees. This can allow employees to give feedback that you can use to provide personalized support.
In hybrid settings, the focus of the management should be entirely on outcomes rather than micromanaging everything employees are doing. The outcome-based approach creates an environment of trust and collaboration. This not only reduces management burden but also ensures the employees are able to work more freely.
Another way to enhance employee well-being and overall job satisfaction is by giving them control over their work arrangements. By facilitating employee autonomy in terms of working hours and locations you can create a sense of ownership in your workforce. Flexibility and autonomy in terms of working schedule alleviates stress and that leads to enhanced wellness for the employees.
Another way to ensure employee wellness is by inclusive decision-making. You need to ensure the employees have a voice in shaping company policies and the overall direction. This can be done by conducting regular surveys and soliciting feedback.
Employee mental health is important, especially in hybrid settings where there are more distractions and the need to juggle personal and professional lives constantly.
Businesses can create wellness programs that include employee assistance sessions, mental health resources, and de-stigmatization campaigns. This can ensure the employees are able to get the necessary support to better handle their work-life balance.
Businesses can further increase employee wellness and reinforce a positive company culture by recognizing the professional milestones of the employees. They can celebrate important events like work anniversaries, project accomplishments, or personal milestones to show how much they value their presence. This creates a sense of belonging and appreciation in the employees which are crucial for their wellness.
Ensuring employee wellness in a remote or hybrid work setting is not that simple. Unlike traditional workplaces, management is not on top of the employees at all times in hybrid settings which can make it hard to develop a deeper connection and foster collaboration.
However, with proper communication, adopting an outcome-centered approach, and focusing on the physical and mental well-being of the employees, businesses can easily ensure overall employee wellness in this setting.
The strategies we have listed in this blog will surely help businesses of all kinds foster employee wellness and thus create a more productive and collaborative hybrid or remote workforce.
Visit B A Barry Group today to get the best eco-friendly trading, operations, and logistics solutions for your businesses worldwide.
