The unspoken when working from home

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, our economy has been hit dramatically. Measures have been put in place to combat the virus spreading, and amidst our third national lockdown, many businesses have suffered.

Multiple businesses have completely shut down, whilst other employers have had to make changes to ensure they can continue running, prompting thousands of redundancies across the country, with around 370,000 between August and October alone. The number would’ve been higher had it not been for the Government’s Furlough Scheme, a system where the government contributes up to 80% towards workers’ wages. Rishi Sunak is currently considering a fifth extension which is due to end in April, with the potential to continue through to the summer.

“there are obstacles that come with working in our homes.”

Although unemployment rates continue to rise, alongside the key workers there are those that remain in work and are doing so from home. To those out of work, working from home may sound like the solution to all problems, but even those in these circumstances are faced with challenges.

Despite maintaining a steady income, there are obstacles that come with working in our homes. For those with children out of school, maintaining working hours has proven difficult, juggling a busy work schedule and family commitments can take its toll on your wellbeing. With this demanding reality, it’s essential to build a routine, maintain communication and not shy away from both honesty and additional support.

For those who have managed to sustain a workspace from home, video calls and zoom meetings have been a popular resource when colleagues are unable to meet in person. However, despite their productivity in staying connected, many report they are not as productive as in the office. There are implications that aren’t so beneficial when unable to problem solve or bounce off of ideas that could happen more fluidly when face to face. The environment change can be a concern for those having to find a place to set up, hours hunched over a laptop without adequate support and posture has resulted in greater stress on physical injuries. The Institute of Employment studies found that more than half of individuals working from home reported neck, shoulder or back pain. It’s therefore vital that given the prevalence of this working set up, workers are still upholding a level of movement, taking adequate breaks and stretching to avoid unfavourable repercussions.

When managing work demands at home, it’s not just our bodies that have been impacted, our mental health has been tested to. No matter our circumstances, it’s something we must look after. Along with many facing unemployment and anxiety over financial concerns, there has been significant evidence of increased anxiety for those working from home. It’s been found that over two thirds are experiencing burnt out symptoms, fearing redundancy if they don’t continue to work hard enough.

Whilst some individuals have found relief in missing out on the daily commute and working at their own pace, others have become a victim to their own unnecessary standards and pressure. When makeshift workspaces inhabit the same locations as we relax or sleep, it’s been reported that this could be a reason for finding it particularly difficult to switch off, with one in four of us suffering from insomnia since lockdown began.

With working from home comes a lack of structure around working hours. This may sound inviting with no boss over your shoulder, but many have found these blurred lines have meant working into the night in order to get things done. It’s vital that we allow ourselves to maintain a routine around working and logging off, to maintain a healthy work life balance. During this uncertain time we have all built our own coping mechanisms and held onto aspects of our lives that we can remain in control over whilst there is so much happening that’s out of our control. It’s essential, however, that we consider how helpful these mechanisms are, particularly when continuing work can provide a distraction from emotions of anxiety when stepping away.

“We have to remove any guilt attached to constantly needing to be on the go”

It’s been found that more than 40 percent of us are working longer hours at home that we did in the office and, despite this being a potential positive for productivity, it can have a negative effect on how we function and lead to dismissing essential care for ourselves, leading to unnecessary burnout. Ensuring we set boundaries is important to avoid exhaustion, enabling us to be more productive and focused when we return.

We have to remove any guilt attached to constantly needing to be on the go; working hard does not equate to working endlessly. When surrounded by others in a work environment it may have been easier to take breaks simply due to a collection of colleagues doing so, whereas when we are on our own we can feel we need to keep going or else the guilt sets in. It’s important that as well as individuals becoming more aware of their own routines and establishing breaks, businesses are proactive in providing structure for their employees too, encouraging time for fresh air. It’s in their hands as much as it is the employees to set that communication and balance.

Due to the uncertainty of the current lockdown, it’s understandable that our mental health is being tested. We can subconsciously put ourselves under unnecessary pressure. If we are working it can become a distraction and coping mechanism for emotions, which can result in our work becoming all-consuming or overwhelming. It can be useful to remind ourselves to establish a balance between working and logging off. Caring for our mental well-being is something we have control over, remembering that Boris Johnson’s statement “work from home if you can” doesn’t mean that’s all we should do.

Danielle Saunders

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Featured image courtesy of Christin Hume on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.