Summary

To mitigate the extensive productivity losses attributed to mental health issues in remote work environments, managers must prioritize strategies to support employee mental health. Facilitating regular check-ins, endorsing a balanced work-life integration, and ensuring access to mental health resources are vital for sustaining employee engagement. Integrating remote computer monitoring software like Insightful can offer managers valuable insights into team productivity and well-being, ensuring a holistic approach to employee support in remote work scenarios.

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Read time: 8 minutes

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Are you a manager struggling to navigate the challenges of remote work? 

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We know it's not all sunshine and rainbows, even with increased productivity and reduced costs. Supporting employee wellness and mental health is now more important than ever before.

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Here's the scoop: the World Health Organization found that depression and anxiety disorders are responsible for $1 trillion in lost productivity for the global economy each year! And just in the US, workplace stress is costing businesses an estimated $300 billion annually. Yikes!

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In this blog post, we'll dive into the impact of remote work on employee wellness and mental health, and provide practical strategies for managers to better support their remote teams. In addition, discover how using the best computer monitoring software can help support employee wellbeing.

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Strategies for Supporting Your Remote Team

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Prioritize Communication 

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Communication is key in remote work. A study by TINYpulse found that employees who feel their communication is effective with their managers are 4.9 times more likely to be engaged in their work.

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Managers have the responsibility to furnish remote team members with the necessary tools that enable efficient communication. This is more than just a guideline; it's an operational requirement.

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• Video Conferencing: Platforms like Zoom and Google Meet should be made available to all remote employees, ensuring that face-to-face communication remains an option despite geographical constraints.

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• Chat Software: Instant messaging tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams are essential for quick, informal interactions that don't necessitate a full-fledged meeting.

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• Email: While considered a more traditional method, email still plays a critical role in formal communications and document sharing. Managers should ensure all team members have access to a company email account.

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Furthermore, clearly delineated rules for communication are essential to prevent misunderstandings and streamline workflow.

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• Response Time Expectations: To keep the workflow moving smoothly, managers should specify the acceptable timeframe within which messages should be acknowledged or answered. For example, emails might require a 24-hour response window, while chat messages may expect a reply within a couple of hours.

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• Urgency Categorization: Managers should create and disseminate a system to identify the criticality of various types of communication. This can be as simple as marking an email as "Urgent" or specifying in a chat that immediate attention is required. 

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Establish a Regular Check-in Schedule 

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Regular check-ins are essential for keeping remote employees engaged and connected. A survey by Harvard Business Review found that 52% of remote employees feel disconnected from their team because they lack access to information.

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Managers play a pivotal role and should proactively arrange for either weekly or bi-weekly sessions to interact with their remote team members. These interactions are pivotal for various reasons:

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• Tracking Work Progress: These sessions offer a valuable opportunity for managers and team members to discuss ongoing projects, evaluate progress, and make necessary adjustments to ensure alignment with objectives and timelines.

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• Addressing Challenges: It provides a platform for employees to bring up any challenges or roadblocks they are encountering in their work, allowing for timely intervention and support from the management or the rest of the team.

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• Providing Feedback: Constructive feedback and recognition can be communicated during these sessions, fostering a culture of appreciation and continuous improvement.

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Beyond work-related discussions, encouraging employees to share their personal experiences or challenges creates a sense of belonging and shows that the organization cares about their well-being beyond their professional contributions.

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To efficiently implement this practice, managers should make use of various technological tools:

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• Google Calendar: Utilize this tool to schedule and send reminders for the check-in sessions, ensuring that they are consistently held and well-attended.

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• Asana and Trello: These project management tools can help in preparing agendas for the check-ins, tracking discussed items, and assigning follow-up actions, ensuring that the check-ins are productive and contribute positively to the work flow and team cohesion.

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Encourage Work-Life Balance

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Remote work can blur the lines between work and personal time, leading to burnout. In fact,  A study by Owl Labs found that remote workers are 22% more likely to work longer hours than office-based workers.

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Managers bear the responsibility to guide their teams in establishing healthy work habits:

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• Scheduled Breaks: Reinforce the importance of taking scheduled breaks throughout the day, promoting rejuvenation and preventing work-related fatigue.

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• Clearly Defined Work Hours: Establish and communicate explicit expectations regarding work hours to prevent overextension and ensure that employees have sufficient time to recharge after work.

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• Encouragement to Utilize Leave Benefits: Foster an environment where taking time off for rest or personal matters is not only accepted but encouraged, affirming the company’s commitment to employee well-being.

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A variety of tools can aid in embedding these practices into the daily routine:

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• Calendly: This scheduling tool can be used to help manage work commitments, ensuring that work-related meetings and tasks are confined to designated work hours.

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• Focus@Will: A tool designed to enhance concentration during work periods, aiding employees in maximizing productivity during work hours, thus mitigating the need to extend work into personal time.

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• Toggl: This time tracking tool can be used to monitor work hours, ensuring that employees are not exceeding healthy work limits and providing data to reflect on work habits.

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Provide Resources for Mental Health Support

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Managers should provide their remote teams with access to resources for mental health support. This includes employee assistance programs (EAPs), virtual therapy options, and mental health education resources. 

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A survey by Aetna found that employees who use mental health benefits are 21% more productive than those who do not. By providing these resources, managers can help their teams proactively manage their mental health and prevent burnout:

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• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Encourage utilization of EAPs, which typically offer confidential counseling services and support for various personal challenges.

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• Virtual Therapy Platforms: Facilitate access to virtual therapy options, providing flexibility and privacy for employees seeking professional mental health support.

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• Educational Resources on Mental Health: Disseminate information and educational materials to enhance awareness and understanding of mental health issues, promoting a stigma-free environment.

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To efficiently implement this practice, managers should make use of various technological tools:

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• Headspace: An app offering guided meditation sessions and mindfulness practices, aiding in stress reduction and enhancing overall mental well-being.

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• BetterHelp: A platform connecting individuals with licensed therapists for virtual counseling sessions, ensuring that professional help is readily accessible.

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• Ginger: Provides on-demand access to behavioral health coaching, video therapy, video psychiatry, and self-care content, catering to a broad spectrum of mental health needs.

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Encourage Team Building

Remote work can be isolating, so it's essential to create opportunities for remote teams to connect and build relationships. Shockingly, A survey by Buffer found that 65% of remote workers report that they have never had a team-building session.

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Managers can organize virtual team-building activities, such as online games, happy hours, or other group activities to build camaraderie:

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• Virtual Team-Building Activities: Implement a variety of virtual gatherings, ranging from light-hearted online games to casual happy hours, creating a space for team members to interact beyond work-related tasks.

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• Group Initiatives: Facilitate group activities that encourage collaboration and strengthen the sense of community within the team.

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To efficiently implement this practice, managers should make use of various technological tools:

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• Zoom: Utilize this video conferencing tool to host virtual gatherings, ensuring face-to-face interaction.

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• Slack: Leverage channels or casual conversation threads to share fun content, initiate light-hearted challenges, or organize quick, engaging activities.

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• Donut: An innovative Slack integration designed to randomly pair team members for coffee chats or virtual meetups, fostering personal connections.

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Provide Training and Development Opportunities

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Professional development opportunities are essential for remote employees' career growth and job satisfaction. So much so that 94% of employees report that they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development, according to a study by LinkedIn.

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Managers can provide virtual training opportunities, webinars, and online courses to help their remote teams develop new skills and enhance their professional growth:

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• Virtual Training Sessions: Managers should consider organizing online training programs tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of their team members.

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• Webinars and Workshops: Engaging in webinars hosted by industry experts provides a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and staying updated with the latest trends and best practices.

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• Online Courses: Platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Coursera offer a plethora of courses across various domains, allowing employees to learn at their own pace and convenience.

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To efficiently facilitate learning, managers should make use of various technological tools:

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• LinkedIn Learning: A vast repository of courses taught by industry professionals, covering a wide range of topics from software skills to leadership development.

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• Udemy: With its extensive library of courses, Udemy offers practical knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied to work.

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• Coursera: In partnership with universities and organizations worldwide, Coursera provides access to top-tier educational content, helping employees achieve their professional development goals.

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Establish Clear Goals and Expectations

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Clear expectations and goals are essential for remote employees' success. A survey by TINYpulse found that only 25% of employees feel that their manager gives them clear goals and expectations. 

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Managers should establish clear goals and expectations for their remote teams and provide regular feedback and performance evaluations. This can help remote employees stay focused and motivated while feeling supported and valued.

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• Goal-Setting with Precision: Managers bear the responsibility of delineating explicit objectives, ensuring that every team member understands their individual roles and contributions towards the collective success.

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• Feedback as a Catalyst: Providing timely and constructive feedback, coupled with comprehensive performance evaluations, fosters a supportive environment. This not only enhances motivation but also reinforces the employees’ sense of value within the team.

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• Regularly Align and Reevaluate: In remote work, staying adaptable is key. Managers should maintain open channels for dialogue, ensuring goals remain relevant and attuned to the current circumstances.

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To clearly outline goals, managers should make use of various technological tools:

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• Asana: A versatile project management tool that enables teams to coordinate and track the progress of their work, ensuring everyone is aligned and accountable.

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• Trello: With its intuitive boards, lists, and cards, Trello offers a visual way to organize tasks and projects, clarifying expectations and deadlines.

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• Monday.com: A work operating system that powers teams to run projects and workflows with confidence, providing transparency and clarity on goals and progress.

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Encourage Physical Activity

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Sitting at a desk all day can take a toll on physical and mental health. A survey by Vitality Group found that employees who are physically active take 27% fewer sick days than their sedentary colleagues.

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Managers should encourage their remote teams to take breaks and engage in physical activity during the workday. This can include encouraging employees to take walks, stretch breaks, or participate in virtual exercise classes.

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• Integration of Movement Breaks: Managers play a pivotal role in nurturing a culture that values and encourages regular movement breaks. This can range from brief stretching sessions to brisk walks, aiding in rejuvenation and enhancing overall well-being.

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• Embracing Virtual Exercise: In the digital age, the availability of virtual exercise classes has soared. Managers can champion participation in these sessions, fostering a sense of community while promoting physical health.

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• Encouraging Wearable Technology: The utilization of tools like Fitbit and Apple Watch can serve as personal motivators, tracking activity levels and providing reminders to stay active throughout the workday.

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To encourage physical activity managers can make use of various technological tools:

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• Fitbit: A wearable device that monitors and tracks daily physical activity, encouraging users to reach their fitness goals through personalized insights and reminders.

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• Apple Watch: Beyond its capacity as a smartwatch, the Apple Watch offers comprehensive fitness tracking features, promoting an active lifestyle with its engaging activity rings and workout options.

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• Peloton: Offering access to a wide array of live and on-demand fitness classes, Peloton empowers users to engage in physical activity from the comfort of their homes, fostering a sense of community and commitment.

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Supporting Employee Well-Being with Remote Monitoring Software

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Using remote monitoring software for employees can have significant benefits for both managers and employees, especially when it comes to employee well-being. Insightful is an example of remote monitoring software that can help managers gain valuable insights into their team's productivity and well-being.

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Insightful provides programs to monitor computer activity, allowing managers to track how much time employees spend on different applications and websites during work hours and monitor remote employee productivity. This can help managers identify potential distractions or areas where employees may be struggling to stay focused, and offer support and resources to address these issues.

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Additionally, remote workforce monitoring can help managers identify when employees may be overworked or experiencing burnout. By tracking the number of hours employees work each day, managers can ensure that employees are taking enough breaks and encourage them to disconnect from work when not on the clock. This can help prevent burnout and improve employee well-being.

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While some may view remote monitoring tools as software for spying on employees, it's important to note that Insightful and other similar software are designed to support employees and improve their work experience. By identifying areas where employees may need additional support or resources, managers can proactively address issues and create a more positive work environment for their remote teams.

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