Is hybrid working good for mental health?
There are many benefits to hybrid working. Some people find it improves their work life balance. With no commute, some employees find they have more leisure time. This can sometimes help people to stay in their job for longer and get more satisfaction from it.
But hybrid working means that don't see our colleagues or teams as often as if we worked in the same place, all the time. And this can have an impact on our mental health.
Mind's top tips for healthy hybrid working
Be clear on what hybrid working is
Make sure you're clear with staff on what you mean by hybrid working. You could talk to your team members about the tasks they do. Decide which are best done in an office, and which ones they can do at home. You could plan your days in the office around this.
Manage their expectations about how many days they're expected to be in the office. This can help prevent confusion, and gives them chance to plan their days. This can help with feeling in control and on top of work.
Help build connections
Loneliness and isolation can have a huge impact on our mental health. If you work in a hybrid way, it's important to make sure you connect with your other team members and colleagues.
You may want to consider team days where everyone can be in the office together. On these days, you could:
- Catch up and work on a project together
- Have meetings which are better done in person, like collaborative or creative workshops
- Book in a team lunch
- Do a team activity after work
Different solutions will work for different people. Don't be afraid of trying different ways of hybrid working, to see what fits best for you.
Upskill your managers
Managing in a hybrid workplace is different to managing people face to face. If you can, offer some extra training to line managers around mental health and wellbeing.
Encourage managers to check in with their employees face to face where they can. Always remember to ask how they’re doing when they are working from home.
Mind has online learning courses for managers which you might find useful.
Make time to check-in
No matter where you work, always make sure you make time to check in with your staff on how they're doing.
You could:
- carry out staff surveys
- ask line managers to check in with their staff
- encourage a culture where people feel they can speak up if they are struggling
We have lots more information on how to support staff with their mental health, however you work.
Want to continue learning about mental health at work? Check out some more of our workplace resources here.
