The ability to work from anywhere has recently sparked the digital nomad movement in which professionals are able to travel the world, packing nothing but a laptop to keep them active in a part-time or full-time job. As glamorous as this might look on social media, the reality is that most remote workers are anxious to leave the time and distance of travelling during their commuting days, and instead just clock in from where they are already at.
Any remote worker will tell you that replacing suits with slippers is a liberating transition. However, it seems as though the confining corporate cubicles that we are so anxious to escape may actually be boosting our behavioural health. Remote workers report feelings of isolation and loneliness and high rates of worry about job performance and stability. Insomnia and sleep disturbance are common, along with increased fatigue, irritation, sadness and feelings of disconnection. Remote workers report a lack of concentration and focus that can compound and exacerbate these mental health challenges. It can lead to a loss of self-worth and a questioning of one’s abilities. Combined together, these symptoms can have a significant impact on job performance, job satisfaction and the efficiency of productive work.”
But why? If virtual professionals are claiming that work-life balance and lower stress convinced them to go remote, then where are these negative effects coming from? Hidden among the dream of flexibility and independence are these subtle dangers:
The idyllic serenity of an uninterrupted home office environment easily translates into deeply focused work sessions, which is great for productivity, but terrible for ergonomic health. The distractions of co-workers and bustling office activity subconsciously prompt us to take break from our sedentary work often enough to maintain visual, auditory, mental and chiropractic health.
When workers are geographically isolated, they can easily be informational isolation as well, which prevents access to the resources they need to complete tasks. Compromised efficiency can cause increased worry about job performance, team trust, feelings of safety in job security and a lack of confidence.
Poorly defined physical boundaries between a worker’s personal life and professional life can lead to poorly defined boundaries in time and mental thought processes, causing a difficulty in “unplugging.”
Does this mean that the Remote Work Revolution is doomed to fail? Should we all return to our offices for the sake of our mental wellness? Like the natural selection of all permanent species, the key to success isn’t to revert, it’s to adapt.
In this case rather than be quick to discourage remote working it may be more worthwhile to think about how we can adapt to make it work. Given that most home workers find it difficult to switch off, investing in a dedicated workspace makes sense. This should be a mentally stimulating environment and kitted out with suitable ergonomic features. Indoor plants and inspiring artwork can go a long way to creating a positive atmosphere.
Technology can be used to build social connections. Regular video conferencing is a great way to keep remote workers connected. Go a step further and let the remote worker chair the meeting. That way they feel valued and part of the team.
Make use of IM. Yes it can have its downsides but being able to engage with a colleague or line manager quickly is probably the next best thing to speaking in person.
Go out of your way to arrange social events for staff and bring together the entire team. It's a good way to show appreciation in a relaxed and fun environment and more importantly cultivate friendships.
However, where employers actively recruit remote workers for certain roles it is important that time is taken to ensure that these workers do not feel isolated from the rest of the organisation. We have a duty if nothing else to look after the mental health of all staff which is always an investment well made.
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