Whilst most people enjoy working from home, there are a few who do wish to return to the office, due to either feeling burnt-out, lower productive levels and lonely. A recent study showed that more than two-thirds of adults in the UK are feeling somewhat worried about the effect that COVID-19 is having on their life.
It is vital that businesses show continuous support for their employees working virtually, ensuring that they are feeling valued by the company and that they are connected with their colleagues.
With Boris Johnson’s most recent lockdown updates, it is advised that businesses who can work from home do so over the winter months. Even though this may be a step-back for some remote workers who are looking forward to working in the office again, here are some ways in which your business can help your team to stay connected.
Morning Catchups
Remember the times when you would greet each other in the mornings when coming to the office? Remember how you would divulge into how your weekends were over a cup of coffee? Remember gathering for team meetings in the boardroom?
This doesn’t have to be a thing of the past… A good way to stay energised and to feel connected as a team is through video calls in the morning for a catchup. This gives businesses a chance to keep in the loop as a team and to check-in with each other.
TGIF Moments
We might be working from home, but we can still enjoy our Friday’s, and what better way to do this than with a quiz! Members of the team can take it in turns being quiz master, whilst the rest of the team get their thinking brains on!
Or, if you have had one too many quizzes since the start of lockdown, why not have your own virtual pub meetup? Sit down after hours and have a drink online – the perfect way to have a laugh and to wind-down after a working week.
Wellness Days
Helping each other to stay relaxed and healthy whilst working from home has been a huge part of our life since the start of lockdown. As well as using video calls to have a laugh with your co-workers, it should be used to encourage positive physical and mental wellness.
Taking 30 minutes to an hour out of your working day, you can set up virtual yoga sessions, focusing on stretching since people are sitting all day. This can help to take away some of the stress of work and lockdown, which can act as team bonding by engaging in activities together.
Family Time
While employees are used to working from home, there are many working parents who have had to learn to work remotely with kids at home. With the current lockdown rules in place, it is a hard time for children who can’t play with their friends outside of school.
By connecting your kids through video chat, they can make a new friend by bonding over hobbies, pets and school life. These ‘family and friends’ meetings can help co-workers and their children connect on a personal level and can be a time to get involved with fun activities online. For example, drawing competitions, having dance-offs or playing charades.
Staying Connected
It is important to regularly check in with your team and make sure that they are feeling well, physically, mentally and emotionally. Working from home can be tough, especially for working parents, people living alone and to people who are vulnerable and cannot go outside much. However, following the steps above and adapting your business to a new way of interacting with one another can be highly beneficial for everyone involved.
If you are struggling and need help throughout lockdown, make sure that you speak to someone. Here are some UK based helplines and some articles from Mind UK:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/