How remote working improves the wellbeing of your employees

Wellbeing seems to be high on everyone’s agendas these days, with more and more companies understanding that investing in people’s mental and physical health results in higher employee engagement, improved productivity and stronger business performance. According to a study from the London Business School, companies with high levels of wellbeing outperform the stock market by 2-3% a year, so the financial benefits are real.

From a moral standpoint, it’s the right thing to do, too. So what can companies do to support their wellbeing programmes? Well, embracing flexible working is one key factor that can have a major positive impact. The practice of working flexibly or remotely has been on a steady rise in recent years, with all signs indicating that the trend will continue to grow. It is becoming the “new normal” which is no surprise when you consider the benefits it offers. Here are six positive wellbeing outcomes:

• Improves Work-Life Balance – Getting the work-life balance right is much more achievable with flexible working.
• Reduces Commuting – Remote working removes the drudgery of the daily commute, and all the stress and expense that go with it.
• Frees Up “Me” Time – There is suddenly more time to do the things you love, and if that includes a bit more physical exercise or relaxation, that can only be good for your overall health.
• Enables Caring Commitments – If you’re able to organise your work time around the children’s school run, an elderly relative’s hospital appointments, or other caring commitments, then your job as a parent or carer just got a little bit easier.
• Puts You In Control – People who feel in control over their working lives will be happier and more motivated
• Increases Job Satisfaction – A Cranfield University report found that managers of flexible workers said that the quantity and quality of their work either stayed the same as their office-based colleagues, or improved. If you can achieve more, within a flexible working framework, your job satisfaction levels will undoubtedly rise.

It’s important to remember that remote working doesn’t come without its wellbeing challenges. According to a recent Forbes report, 21% of remote workers say they suffer from feelings of loneliness. To reap the wellbeing rewards and to avoid these feelings of isolation, it therefore falls on everyone – team leaders, colleagues and, of course, the remote workers themselves – to make a concerted effort to create and maintain an inclusive and positive remote working culture. That means using collaboration tools effectively, not just to have weekly calls about targets and objectives, but to build in regular informal interactions to check-in on workloads, build rapport, and strengthen relationships and camaraderie. It’s all about developing a feeling of community.

It’s clear that companies who focus on flexibility are able to attract and retain happier, healthier and more motivated employees, and they also enjoy higher retention rates and improved productivity.

Jenny Barnes

People and Workplace lead for Adoptt. Creative vision for our own Future of Work initiatives by disrupting the traditional rules of employment and the workplace. Owner of Adoptt’s remote working, wellness and people engagement strategy.

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