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The current pandemic is forcing every business leader to consider a "new normal," the nature of work has already changed and will continue to do so. With these changes, employee wellbeing, mental health and safety will become more critical. Further isolation, loneliness and blurred boundaries between work duties and personal duties is making it increasingly difficult for employees to cope and the stringent safety measures make it difficult to collaborate as we previously did. As every individual has unique interests and concerns to address, every employer must shape the culture of its workforce which should include creating ecosystems where employees can thrive physically and mentally in a safe and secure environment.
As the pandemic seeps the globe, no one could have pre-empted the impact to our economies, physical and mental wellbeing. Many of today’s workers find themselves working remotely for the first time in their lives and the adjustment has been tough for most. Organisations that want to overcome this pandemic will need to make a concerted effort in addressing some of the challenges their greatest assets face.
Challenges faced by employees with remote work
There are a number of challenges that come with working from home. The first challenge is the tension between work and family. Workers can find themselves struggling to maintain balance between their work obligations and family obligations. At times it may feel like they are spending too much time focused on their work to the detriment of their time with family, while at other times they may feel like they are spending too much time on family-related obligations and neglecting their work duties. This tension can put a lot of stress on workers. The second challenge is the fear of the unknown. Many workers do not know whether they will still have a job at the end of this pandemic. They have seen their friends and relatives lose jobs and they are wondering whether they will be next. No one knows when this pandemic will end and that causes anxiety in the minds of many workers. The third challenge is isolation. Many workers feel isolated from their colleagues, resources and the information they need in order to perform their duties well. They also do not have the opportunity to share their ideas with colleagues or to discuss issues with their managers. The longer workers feel isolated, the greater the chances of them developing mental health issues and substance abuse disorders which can make pre-existing conditions worse and increase the risk of depression, poor sleep quality, suicidal thoughts or relapse. According to Dr Zamo Mbele, Clinical Psychologist at Tara H. Moross Hospital, in South Africa alone suicide rates have increased by 23% since the pandemic started and the number is rising. There are many other challenges that come with working from home and if these challenges are not addressed they will increase workers stress levels and may also lead to physical health problems. These include digestive problems, appetite and weight changes, skin reactions, cardio-vascular diseases, headaches or other unexplained aches and pains.Suicide rate has increased by 23%
In South Africa alone suicide rates have increased by 23% since the pandemic started and the number is rising.
