Working from home is becoming more of the norm both in the UK and around the world. The upside is that many employees are benefiting from a boost in their mental health because of it.
According to a poll conducted by the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) in 2020, it discovered that more UK-based workers (45%) felt that working from home was better for their health and wellbeing, compared to 29% who said it was worse for their wellbeing.
This has inspired us to learn more about the importance of employee wellbeing and how working from home improving employee retention and mental health. As an employer, you can also gain some insights into and advice on how you can help your employees maintain better mental health in the workplace and at home.
The Importance of Employee Wellbeing and Mental Health
The first matter to address is the importance of employee wellbeing and mental health in the workplace and why it matters. To begin, mental health and feeling down or low can negatively impact job performance and productivity. Not only that but it impacts an employee’s communication with other staff members and the ability to function optimally each day. It’s a win-win situation when employers care about their employees’ mental health and employees take good care of themselves.
Benefits of Working from Home
One reason many employees might be happier working from home is that there are several benefits or advantages that come with it. For starters, working from home offers greater flexibility in schedules. There’s also no need to commute which can be stressful, costly, and take up a lot of time. Additional benefits are that it offers a better work-life balance situation and improved employee retention.
Improving Employee Retention
Given these benefits of working from home on employee mental health, this, in turn, has a positive impact on employee retention. When you work from home you know that your employer trusts you to get the job done right on your own. It is nice to know that your employer respects your personal life and needs, and is mindful that an employee is trying to balance it all, which reduces stress levels.
What You Can Do to Help
There are ways you can support remote employees and provide opportunities to ensure it’s a positive experience for everyone. For instance, encourage your employees to use company mental health resources and take time off when it’s necessary. Also, confirm your employees have the right equipment to work from home and that they are diligent about taking regular breaks. Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open and schedule check-ins frequently.
When you look out for your employees and take their needs into consideration, not only will they reap the benefits, but you and your business will too.
These are some ways in which working from home is improving employee retention and mental health. Mental health awareness is an essential component of the workplace these days and will influence what you’re able to achieve as a company and employer, so it’s wise that you properly manage and address the matter head-on.
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