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The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
More and more companies are committing to a work-from-home setup, providing plenty of benefits to their employees. However, although the setting has several advantages, it can also contribute to feelings of stress and pressure. To minimize this, you should commit to happiness and well-being practices to keep your team healthy and satisfied. Here are some of them:
Commit to a Healthy Work Environment
It’s inevitable for employees to feel isolated at times when working remotely. The lack of face-to-face interaction may make it hard for them to forge connections and foster loneliness. As such, you should create a foolproof plan to allow your company to establish bonds and friendships, forming ‘work friends’.
Workplace camaraderie makes your team happier while ensuring that projects are met smoothly. Employees that get along with each other can collaborate well to get jobs done, work on similar ideas, and have purposeful interactions. They can also share wins and failures together, further promoting a sense of belongingness to the group.
You could do this by creating opportunities for your team to work in groups. Pair people you think will jive well together, like matching up those with the same interests. You could also hold cross-team collaborations on certain projects to expose your company to different ways of thinking.
Prioritize Work-Life Balance
Often, employees shift to remote positions because they crave a much better work-life balance. Going virtual is also much more economical and convenient than in-office employment. However, there are also drawbacks to this setting, including the tendency to fall prey to the ‘always on’ trap.
To avoid this, it’s best to schedule fixed office hours to reduce screen time. Implement a 7 to 7 policy, where work emails are only open from 7 am to 7 pm on a weekday. That, or switch to a flexible setup that enables you to work anytime so long as projects are met. You could also create a detailed timetable that gives you and your team a day or two for a digital detox.
There’s no denying that technology plays a huge part in remote work. However, this doesn’t mean that your whole week should revolve around it. Ensure that you and your team are conscious of how you use your gadgets and how to stay away from them. Encourage them to live their lives and spend time on things that matter, like staying in shape.
Foster a Growth Mindset
To increase your team’s happiness and job satisfaction, it’s best to adopt a growth mindset. This allows you to thrive on challenges and see failures not as setbacks but as stepping stones for success. Rather than interpreting things in a negative light, your company will use it for further improvements and growth.
You could start by listing all your achievements, including details on how hard you worked to complete a particular task. Your team could also benefit from some constructive feedback, like how to improve on a project or what they could do differently the next time. Of course, ensure that these are delivered with positivity rather than being harsh.
Similarly, you should also remember to commend personal and team growth. Employee appreciation goes a long way; acknowledgment can actually increase happiness and productivity. Celebrate your team’s wins, like giving a shoutout at a group meeting or providing an incentive.
Establish Regular Wellness Check-ins
Even though your team operates in a remote work setting, this doesn’t mean you should slack up on workplace wellness. In fact, this should be prioritized since there’s not much chance of monitoring employees’ health in real-time. Also, your coworkers are likely stuck at home for the most part, so it’s important to do regular wellness check-ins.
Hint: it’s essential not only to give emphasis on physical fitness but also on mental well-being as well. If you notice anyone showing signs of burnout or having a hard time, reach out to ask if there’s anything wrong. They may not open up immediately, but it’s still best to give them your support. For instance, you can provide them with leeway on deadlines when they’re not feeling their best.
Encourage Connections With Family and Friends
One of the best ways to live happier is to establish meaningful social connections. This may seem like a hurdle, especially since you and your team work remotely. However, being employed virtually doesn’t equate to isolation and missing out on a great deal of social life.
Encourage your team to catch up on much-needed family time during the weekends. Even a spontaneous night out with friends effectively rekindles bonds and relationships. You could even go on a date or take the time to make meaningful conversations. Simply ensure that you and your team are keeping in touch with important people in your life.
To Conclude
Shifting to remote work may require a certain level of flexibility, but it should not be overwhelming stress for you and your team. To avoid struggles, adopt practices and techniques that prioritize your team’s happiness and well-being. Doing so will increase productivity, collaboration, and job satisfaction even without being in an actual workplace.
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