Today, effective team collaboration has reached new heights due to the wide array of remote technology available and many employees have enjoyed increased flexibility, enabling them to fit personal responsibilities more easily into their daily routines.

However, Nuffield Health’s latest whitepaper The effects of remote working on stress, wellbeing and productivity has found while remote working can be associated with higher workplace wellbeing, it can also present many business challenges.

There is still the general assumption remote working makes you more ‘productive’, which is not always true. In fact, Nuffield Health’s research shows spending more than 2.5 days a week working away from the office is associated with deterioration in co-worker relationships and job satisfaction.

According to our whitepaper, mental health issues could develop more frequently amongst remote workers – particularly younger employees - as they may struggle, finding themselves separated from communication channels, guidance, and support mechanisms.

Overall, the research suggests a traditional workplace environment, to some degree, is still required for optimum productivity and mental health.

Preparing for the ‘new normal’

Whether businesses continue to work from home or others start to navigate a new workplace design, employees face potential daily disruption, no matter what their circumstances. Employers must help them achieve feelings of stability and belonging, even if they are not entering the office every day.

Sharing actionable steps on how the business is planning to safeguard their health and how they can protect themselves when back in their old work environment will help rationalise this issue.

Employees should know exactly what the ‘new normal’ will look like for them; how they’ll get around the new office, the increased rules for remote working and the additional support they can access without any additional stress and anxiety placed upon them.

Consider hosting weekly, socially distanced, office floor huddles. With distancing measures ruling out traditional meetings and water-cooler moments, these huddles give employees a sense of collaboration and normality.

Technology has an important role to play in the future workplace too. Hosting daily team video chats will bring together those in the office and working remotely, maintaining social relationships by allowing employees to chat in real-time.

Reassess traditional work environments

Consider introducing corporate health assessments, these can be beneficial for those returning to the office, as they provide employees and employers with in-depth information on the current health status of both parties and will provide useful information on how to improve the health of employees, whilst encouraging employees to take greater responsibility for their own health.

The more enhanced, risk-based and personalised approach you have, the better you will be at combatting individual health risks across your company.

For example, Nuffield Health’s online digital platform, PATH, uses several evidence-based mathematical algorithms to determine a person’s risk factors and generates a completely tailored assessment for them. These assessments can either be completed remotely or face to face meeting the needs of a more diverse population

Focus on emotional wellbeing

A recent poll revealed as lockdown is eased, many Brits still feel “uncomfortable” going back to their normal lives.

Some employees may have anxiety about going back to work, commuting on public transport, or have experienced difficult situations during lockdown. Now more than ever – as staff attempt to navigate the ‘new normal’ and adjust to life post-lockdown – it is vital employers highlight the emotional wellbeing support available.

This assistance should be tailored towards the modern workplace, which means providing support for those spending time away from the workplace too, like access to an online emotional wellbeing service, which allow employees to work through various modules at their own pace and learn techniques to cope with feelings of stress and anxiety.

Similarly, online CBT sessions give employees access to speak to a specialist about their worries. Not only does this help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness but they can also provide staff with coping mechanisms, which they can take with them as they re-enter the workplace.

Have one-to-one meetings, wherever possible, with every employee - or with set teams, if your company is large – virtually, before they return to work. You should encourage them to share any concerns they have and address any worries about their physical and mental wellbeing.

When face-to-face meetings aren’t possible in the office, compensate with video chats. This helps employers and managers monitor features like tone of voice and appearance, which may signal an individual is feeling strained.

It’s also important to ensure connectivity for members of staff who are still self-isolating or if some businesses continue to work from home for the long-term. Those continuing with prolonged remote working may face psychological hazards linked to increased loneliness and isolation.

There are plenty of corporate healthcare options that can be offered to staff remotely too including cognitive behaviour therapy, which can be delivered safely and effectively by phone, video or email for flexibility and privacy.

Other types of therapy, which are also safe, effective, and accessible remotely, include counselling (e.g., relationship, bereavement), interpersonal therapy, and access to psychiatric assessments.

Kevin Thomson is corporate healthcare director at Nuffield Health.