Stress And Depression In The Workplace - Working From Home

Stress and Depression in the Workplace

Stress and depression in the workplace is a common issue, especially during the pandemic. The employees that can have moved to work from home, while others may feel anxious going out to work, but not have many choices in the matter. Although lockdown restrictions in the UK are being lifted gradually, many people continue to work from home.

 Working From Home

COVID-19 has forced many to work in a completely different way. Having an office job may mean you can work from home, but there is no ‘water-cooler conversation, and routine falls apart over time when you no longer need to commute. Suddenly, you’re working in your pyjamas, sitting on your sofa with a coffee and a blanket. While this is cosy, over time it can ruin your idea of what relaxation is. Working on the sofa, a place where you might usually relax, suddenly makes it seem like a less relaxing place to be. It is the same if you have a desktop computer to work from in your bedroom.

 Correct Work Set-Up

Employers may send their employees to work from home with computers, desks, and desk chairs from the office. This is great for making sure that your employees have a decent work set-up so that they can prevent RSI. However, not everybody has enough space to set up a desk and desktop computer. This can lead to not-so-good set-ups and an increase in the risk of repetitive strain injury and back problems. Courses can be sent out so that everybody knows how they are supposed to sit, but really there is no way to make sure that your employees have the correct setup all of the time.

 Repetitive Strain Injury

Back, shoulder and other repetitive strain pain can cause stress in the workplace. Not being able to relax in spare time can also cause stress. When the workplace is suddenly your home, you might struggle to know when to stop work. It might be hard to feel motivated to start work as well. Being overly productive or counter productive can have an effect on emotional well-being.

 Empathy

It’s important for employers to regularly check on their employees during this time and show kindness and understanding to those who are struggling with any changes that may have been made. It might be good to set up regular group meetings (online) in order to keep the team spirit alive. Encourage them to speak up if they’re struggling, and see what changes you could make to improve their situation.  

Stress And Depression In The Workplace During COVID-19

 Stress and depression in the workplace are very common. Now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are being furloughed or are being made to work from home. This, for some, makes life easier, and for others may add to the stress.

Furlough

Stress and depression in the workplace can be transferred home. Furlough may reduce concern for staff around COVID-19, but it would also be a big change. For some, staying at home will be a much-needed break. For others, it may be a huge change of routine and may affect their mental health negatively. For example, many parents have had to be furloughed so that they can look after their children while the schools are closed. It is not just childcare that’s expected of parents, though. There is also the need to home-school. Most parents are not prepared for this. The UK school curriculum is always changing, so it’s understandable that some parents may find teaching difficult. Although not much can be done about the need to home-school, employers can still check in on their employees to make sure that they’re okay during their furlough. 

Working from home

Those who are able to are now working from home. For many, this means having to rearrange the layout of their home to accommodate for a desk and proper office chair, with work computers. This may be a squeeze for some people. Some may find that they struggle to concentrate at home, after all, it is the place that they may associate with relaxation or the hobbies they do in their own time. This can go both ways, and make it difficult for them to relax properly – even more so if they live in a studio flat, so there is no separation from their workspace and their relaxation space. Employers should regularly check in on employees, to make sure that they’re still getting some relaxation time. It is also worth reassuring employees and being understanding if they’re struggling to be as productive as they may have been in the office. Stress and depression in the workplace can become stress and depression at home.

Unable to stay at home

Some people are unable to work from home and have essential jobs working with the public. It’s important that these people are provided with adequate PPE, and all necessary health and safety measures are put in place. It’s important for everybody to feel and be as safe as possible when they go to work.