Member Article

Count to 10: keep it zen – how to combat stress in the workplace

Work-related stress and mental illness now accounts for over half of work absences, according to figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Businesses are exploring a multitude of ways to reduce stress, and keep employees engaged, including offering free meals, cycle to work schemes, and annual company trips.

But there’s one perk in particular that has a significant impact on the well-being and productivity of employees: flexible working. Recent research found that nearly a third of staff feel happier when they work from home. This is largely down to the flexibility it offers for employees, who have more control over their day, can eliminate stressful commutes, save money, and look after family members or pets. Furthermore, 81 per cent of respondents believe that having the option to work from home is important to the future of business; a clear indication that businesses can’t afford to sweep it under the carpet.

So, how can businesses successfully implement a flexible working culture, and ease the stress on employees at the same time?

Arm employees with technology

Working away from the office can have its perks, but stress levels can rise if employees find they don’t have access to the tools and data they need to carry out their jobs, especially if there’s a deadline looming. While some employees might just need an internet connection and access to email, there are a number of other technologies on the market that can make remote working easier. For example, instant messaging software, video conferencing tools and intranet solutions are great ways for employees to feel connected to the office, outside of its’ four walls.

It’s also worth considering that the lines between work and personal are blurring, and this will only increase as employees spend more time working outside of the office. IT teams should support employees by equipping their personal devices with any relevant work software, as well as issuing guidelines on how to stay secure when accessing company data on a personal device.

Avoid a ’Big Brother’ working culture

Despite the personal benefits of remote working, nearly half of UK-based respondents to a recent survey said that they felt more pressure to demonstrate that they were being productive when they were out of the office. This suggests a perception problem associated with remote working, whereby bosses assume that their staff aren’t working if they aren’t visible. The all-seeing eye of a Big Brother style boss can ultimately pile more pressure on to workers than is off-set by the flexibility afforded by working remotely. Managers need to understand that in most cases, enthusiasm for working remotely is driven by the work-life balance benefits that come with it - which in turn improves both productivity and well-being – rather than a desire to watch re-runs of Friends in pyjamas.

Implement throughout the company

Finally, any successful remote working initiative should be a company-wide initiative, and not reserved for the elite senior management, or employees who have been at the company for a certain length of time. This will help create an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, regardless of whether they’re an entry level graduate or the CEO.

Similarly, if the company is global, any policy should apply across geographical borders. If employees in Paris are able to work remotely, then those in London and New York should be able to too.

Remote working is here to stay, and as markets get increasingly competitive, it’s going to become a major differentiator for companies looking to attract top talent. So it’s crucial for businesses to engage with this desire, and implement a positive flexible working culture within the company.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Stephen Duignan .