No matter what happens next, we have learned some incredibly valuable lessons. The importance of business resilience. The potential of flexibility. The benefits of having the right technology and working practices in place to ensure future business success.

But most of all, we’ve fortified our understanding that our most important asset is our people. Mental health and wellbeing have turned into topics at the forefront of business leaders’ minds – and it’s crucial it stays that way.

So, let’s take a look at some of the things you can do to look after your people.

Communicate regularly and openly

Nobody likes to be left in the dark, especially if they’re feeling anxious or uncertain. By being transparent and honest with what’s going on across your business – both the successes and the challenges – you maintain a sense of togetherness, making sure your people feel part of the big picture.

It’s also the role of managers to have regular one-to-one conversations with their teams. And not only to talk about work but also to enjoy each other’s company as if they were hanging out at the office coffee machine.

Provide opportunities to get away from work

One of the biggest challenges for people’s mental health and wellbeing in the last 12 months has been finding the right work/life balance. Indeed, many worked long hours in an attempt to maintain the same productivity they had in the office.

Mix this in with constant video calls – “Can you see my screen?” – it’s no wonder there is a lot of fatigue.

You need to continually reassure your people that it’s ok to manage your own time. In fact, you should positively encourage them to disengage from their home desk and get active. Especially in the shorter winter days – make the most of the sunlight!

Set objectives to work towards

Targets and objectives play a major role in motivation. When we’re working towards something that’s challenging yet achievable – perhaps with the potential of a reward at the end – we feel driven to perform at our best and reach truly excellent results.

It’s all about giving yourself focus and a sense of control. But this doesn’t have to be related to your business. Even things as simple as trying out a few new exercises can release those endorphins, reset your mind and improve your work productivity.

Some extra inspiration from Ricoh…

We’d like to tell you about something we’re doing to promote a sense of unity and support among our people.

In February, we’re asking our people to get active and raise money for charity by taking part in The Prince’s Trust ‘Future Steps’ challenge. This involves downloading an app and trying to do 10,000 steps a day for the month of – with a leader board to keep things competitive.

Everyone here is very excited, it’s generated a sense of community and it’s for a good cause. Why not try something similar in your business?

And remember, it’s all about taking the conscious approach.

Taking a conscious approach means constantly monitoring and supporting your people. It’s about being aware of their mental health and wellbeing at work through open communication. And being proactive when you identify problems and solutions.

Reach out to your colleagues before the emotional fatigue of remote working sets in. Put the right support in place before anyone even needs it. And understand that plans are just sketches – things you can adjust and tailor as you make each decision along the way.

Find out more by reading our report on The Conscious Workplace here.

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The past 18 months have been challenging.

At a time when only 30% of UK employees had ever experienced working remotely, you were plunged into a state of isolation and uncertainty.

• More than 50% of managers are struggling with employee mental health
• Nearly 1/3 of remote managers and employees find health and well-being a challenge
• Staff motivation, happiness, and productivity remains the greatest challenge for managers (45%), while 15% of employees struggle with habits they formed at home and 13% feel less productive

Then, through the ensuing months, you have had to adapt and adopt new processes, practices, and technologies.

You did so brilliantly. In a collective effort from business leaders, managers, and employees alike, you rose to each challenge and turned them into opportunities. But this long battle has created a new priority. One which is now crucial to address: our mental wellbeing at work. It’s time for business leaders to bring unity and calm to the workplace. To learn from the past and proactively build for a better future.

And it all starts with being consciously aware of how your people are feeling.

There are four key things that are affecting our wellbeing at work.

First, we must understand what’s affecting the mental health and wellbeing of your people. Research by Ricoh and in collaboration with leading clinical psychologist Emma Kenny has identified these four:

Confidence of control

Communicating our actions, thoughts and feelings is a way of controlling a situation. At work, we used daily signals, language, and actions to demonstrate our purpose and value.

But now our environment has changed. So too have our signals and language. And this has led to misunderstanding and frustration, undermining our wellbeing at work.

Misplaced validation

People need validation. Historically this has been given through pay raises and promotions. Today we know that a person’s sense of achievement extends well beyond financial gain.

So, how do you learn how your people want to be validated on an emotional level? In an office environment, it’s easier to identify and deliver. But remotely, it can be a clunky, misplaced, and often even patronising affair.

Unanchored authority

We’re creatures of habit; in the office, we could rely on routine. Start and finish times, lunch hours, health, and safety guidelines. These anchors helped us plan our day and reach our goals.

Now we’re remote working, this solid structure has become fluid. And while this has benefits for our work/life balance, it can also lead to working longer hours, difficulties switching off and fatigue.

Apathetic employee experience

Employee experience is as important as the customer experience. It isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ bonus offered by any given company, but a necessity if you want to keep wellbeing at work and your people productive.

Business leaders have to find a way to remain empathetic – despite today’s challenges – if they want their organisation to be successful.

But we can’t make fixed plans for our people.

If we’ve learned anything in 2020, it’s the importance of being agile and flexible in how we work. Without this, we cannot quickly and effectively meet new challenges and opportunities.

Nobody could have planned for the pandemic, and you can’t plan for whatever happens next. We’re on an unknown journey with a destination that’s yet to be discovered. But you can develop stronger business resilience by adopting a more conscious approach – one which puts your people first and keeps your finger on the pulse of change.

The solution? Take the conscious approach.

Taking a conscious approach means constantly monitoring and supporting your people. It’s about being aware of their mental health and wellbeing at work through open communication. And being proactive when you identify problems and solutions.

Reach out to your colleagues before the emotional fatigue of remote working sets in. Put the right support in place before anyone even needs it. And understand that plans are just sketches – things you can adjust and tailor as you make each decision along the way.

Find out more by reading our report on The Conscious Workplace here.

If you’d like to hear more insight on how to protect and enhance the wellbeing of your people working at home, you can watch our webinar here

Watch on-demand: How to protect and enhance the wellbeing of your people working at home

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In times of uncertainty, you must offer your remote workers the right support – for both their wellbeing and the wellbeing of your business.

As your business continues to maintain and support an agile and remote workforce, the pressures and stresses placed upon your people become more unique. While some may have switched seamlessly to new ways of working, others may struggle to find balance. It all depends on an individual’s circumstances so it’s important to provide the right support to help your remote workers navigate these changes.

But what is ‘the right support’?

It’s a good question and one that needs to be answered by today’s business leaders and senior managers. World Mental Health Day brings this awareness to the fore for all organisations so this post aims to provide you with ideas, initiatives and answers for how your organisation can support the wellbeing of your people.

Protect your people and you’ll promote productivity during trying times.

What challenges are your people facing?

Some challenges will be the result of your people’s personal circumstances. You must reach out and discuss whether you can offer any help.

But there are also business challenges that will affect everyone in your organisation. Streams of online meetings. Periods of total isolation. Delays in getting IT or project support. It all adds up to become a taxing experience each working day. 

How does this affect remote workers?

First off, it makes us feel fatigued. Constantly having to deal with tedious technical issues and convoluted, drawn-out digital conversations are tiresome. It can even lead to people working longer hours as they try to make up for the lost time. 

This all makes for more stress. As people search for the right balance between home, work and personal responsibilities. They also hear all the doom and gloom on the news – especially regarding the pressures on society, the economy and job insecurity.

It’s not a healthy way to work. But, by being proactive and promoting positivity, business leaders can inspire a real difference.

The power of positivity

There are steps we can take to help improve our mindset. By focusing on a proactive and healthy lifestyle, we look after the health and wellbeing of remote workers in times of high stress.

Here are some top tips to help keep you and your people remain positive at times of stress:

Keep in touch.

You must regularly reach out to your people – and it shouldn’t be about work. A quick phone call to find out how someone is getting on, sharing funny or engaging content, a casual video call (maybe with a beer…) are great ways to get people smiling.

Encourage regular breaks.

Make sure your remote workers know it’s ok to step away from their work. One of the biggest benefits of more agile and flexible working practices is that your people can exercise greater autonomy over their days. So help them to take advantage of this.

Promote kindness.

Kind acts feel all the more impactful during times of adversity. Think about how your organisation can help others, or how you can enable your people to award and recognise each other. They will rally to the call and feel good for doing good.

How practising mindfulness can help your remote workers

A really powerful way to promote positivity, and help your remote workers proactively take care of their mental health and wellbeing, is to share some tips on how to practice mindfulness.

Meditation and mindfulness can make a real difference in how we think and react to situations, reducing feelings of fear and anxiety. 

This is because mindfulness – which includes things like yoga and breathing exercises – focuses our thoughts and feelings on the present moment. So, instead of becoming overwhelmed, we feel we can manage them.

Nine simple steps for mindful breathing

There are many resources out there which you can find to help you and your people practice mindfulness, but one that’s quick and easy to do is mindful breathing – ten minutes where you just focus on you and your lungs. Here’s how it works:

• Sit in a quiet place and turn off your phone
• Recognise any thoughts, feelings or emotions going on inside your head
• Bring the focus back to you. This is your time for the next ten minutes. Don’t allow any distractions
• Focus only on your breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth
• Notice your lungs expanding, and the time between each inhalation and exhalation
• Feel yourself relax after each exhale. Your shoulders are dropping. Arms and legs becoming heavy
• Feel the cool air in your nostrils, the warm air leaving your mouth
• After ten mins, slowly rise from your mindful state – wiggle your toes and fingers and smile
• Ease into the rest of your day feeling focused and happy!

Adopt a people-first approach

By promoting positivity, offering proactive support and keeping in regular contact, you can help your remote workers thrive in their roles and lead happier healthier lives.

Working with a specialist partner to implement these types of transformation projects is key. And finding a partner who shares a people-first approach is essential.

Creating a Conscious Workplace

Whether you’re a small business or a large-scale enterprise, Ricoh believes in adopting a ‘people first’ approach to all aspects of the business. From how we communicate to the physical technologies, process and environments we provide, we need to always put the experience of our people first.

Adopting a people-first approach will not only help mitigate stress and support positive employee mental health but also enhance productivity and performance.

Further reading on how to support your remote workers:

Recognising the fatigue caused by remote working

How to build a better workplace for your people – with insights from IWFM

How innovation can empower HR leaders to better support their people

Discover more about Ricoh’s Intelligent Remote Working Solutions.

The post Supporting remote workers is key to business resilience – here’s why appeared first on Insights - Empowering Digital Workplaces.

Marco has led Ricoh’s adoption to the ‘Time To Change’ employer pledge during the past year and works with the teams to promote initiatives across the business. Giving support to open and honest conversations about employees wellbeing as well as access to resources and advice to support them.

This is a great time to remind ourselves of the unique pressures many of us are facing whilst we work remotely and the key role business leaders and senior managers can play in supporting their colleagues.

Constant video conferences. Intermissions of complete isolation. Difficulties in getting the support we need to do our jobs. These problems are challenging our productivity – and our mental health.

Meetings have always been a key aspect of our working lives – but now they’re our taxing time and energy more than ever.

We can no longer just pop over to IT to fix a problem. Or quickly ask a colleague for some clarification on a project. And we must also always be on the alert, just in case someone needs us.

But we’re not alone. In this article, we discuss the fatigue caused by remote working – and how business leaders can support their workers against exhaustion.

Why are video calls so fatiguing?

Well first off, they’re all basically the same. Imagine going to the same venue for every single event in your life. That’s our working life right now. It’s a bit repetitive – even if you dress it up as a virtual pub lunch.

They also fail to replicate what we’re accustomed to in real conversation. We have to concentrate extra hard to pick up on things like expression or tone. And silence is natural when we talk face to face, but it causes anxiety when we’re remote. And if the tech isn’t working as it should do, then it’s doubly stressful.

But mostly, meetings cause fatigue because they often require your full, sustained attention. Whether you’re speaking to clients or colleagues, most of us will find that we need to be fully alert and attentive. Ensuring we bring value to the meeting. And with more meetings than ever, that takes a lot of mental energy. Not surprising then that we’re feeling tired and fatigued.

How is remote working affecting our mental health?

Many of the challenges facing society as a whole are exacerbated by remote working. And it’s different for everyone because everyone’s home life is different. But there are some common factors affecting our mental health.

Changing attitudes to work

In 2019, a survey conducted by DigitalOcean concluded that 82% of US tech professionals who work remotely reported feeling fatigued. 52% claimed they worked longer hours. And 40% felt they had to contribute more than those who worked in the office.

Added stress

Remote working is piling on the pressure for individuals across the UK. Not only are we having to find the right balance between working from home and our other responsibilities, but we’re constantly hearing about job insecurity and economic downturn in the media.

And uncertainty around money has a very negative impact on mental health.

Adapting to new routines

Many of us have been going through the motions for a while. Our bodies and minds have acclimatised to a certain way of living. We’ve nailed down a routine that works for us and our jobs.

But those routines have been shattered. Our eating habits and sleeping patterns have suddenly changed. And trying to adjust to those changes on top of everything else can impact on our mental health.

How can business leaders support their employees against exhaustion?

Managing your employees while remote working is a major challenge. But it can be just as easy to do too much as do too little. Here are some quick tips for supporting colleague fatigue, relieving stress and anxiety, and enabling them to work effectively.

Don’t bombard people with communications

Keep your messaging quick, calm and concise. No information overloads. And keep the number of internal meetings to a minimum as most remote workers already have numerous customer meetings already scheduled in their diaries.

Trust your employees

Trust people to do their job. Don’t micromanage. Lack of trust can lead to bouts of anxiety, depression and loneliness.

Mix up your messaging

Don’t use the same methods of communication every time. Pick up the phone, use project collaboration tools, and keep emails succinct.

Think about individuals

Rules on career progression, personal welfare and your team members’ experience or ability still apply. New staff need extra support. Learning and development is still crucial. And your people still need to feel like they’re moving forward – not that they’re on pause.

Review your collaboration technology and tools

Trying to use collaboration tools which are tricky to use or perhaps just don’t work as well as they could, is a significant frustration for remote workers. Ensuring the technology you have is right is key. So ask them if they find them easy to use. If you find they are struggling, involve them early in the process of assessing the issues and finding new tech. Making sure the new solutions are truly fit for purpose and adaptable to meet changing requirements.

Adopt a people-first approach

At the end of the day, your most important asset is your people. All of your key business decisions have to be made with them at the forefront of your mind.

Help your employees thrive by encouraging a sense of community and pull everyone together with a clear and transparent goal.

Ricoh’s Work Together, Anywhere campaign

“We help organisations of all sizes to deliver business-as-usual by enabling intelligent remote working – even at times of disruption. Our end-to-end remote solutions are user-friendly, secure and scale to meet your needs.”

Whether you’re a small business or a large-scale enterprise, Ricoh has efficient solutions to introduce effective remote working practices.

Not only will they ease the transition and alleviate stress for your people, but they’ll also enhance productivity and performance.

Visit our dedicated page and learn how Ricoh can quickly and securely empower your people, automate mission-critical business processes and aid digital transformation efforts.

Learn more about Work Together, Anywhere

Click to read Work Together, Anywhere

And if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me on LinkedIn.

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