Exploring the challenges faced by our workforce.

Having relied heavily on technology this past year, often in the place of human contact, it's no wonder a portion of our workforce are still feeling stuck in the fog of always being online. It wasn't long into our new working from home life that the phrase 'Zoom Fatigue' was coined - an explanation for the mental fatigue, decrease in motivation and a general increase in stress felt from having a higher exposure to technology and screens with little to no in-person interaction.

Pre-pandemic, our work and home lives were very divided, with the ability to leave it all at the office at the end of the day. Now, the pandemic has blurred those lines with our homes becoming our new places of work. This, coupled with travel restrictions preventing many of the workforce from having their usual two week holiday abroad, has led many to feel like they haven't had any real significant break or respite since before the pandemic began.

Looking ahead, how can our workforce be best supported?

As the next steps of the post-pandemic world evolve we need to ensure that whilst people establish their new normal within their work life, that they also find fulfillment and balance within their personal life. Separating from work has never been more important and there are several ways our workforce can be supported in doing this;

  • Keep assessing employee workload to ensure it is at a manageable level. Many of our workforce will remain either fully or partly working from home for some time. It is important their workload can be monitored as well as general health, emotional wellbeing and happiness despite them working remotely. 
  • Encourage staff to use time off and allow an element of flexibility due to the current climate when workers are booking holiday. Date changes and holiday cancellations are unfortunately still a possibility at the present time but workers do still need those breaks and time away.
  • Allow workers to be unreachable. Some true respite and disconnection from our working worlds does us the world of good. 
  • Listen to their concerns and needs. It may not always be possible to accommodate every request but it is important that workers are able to voice their thoughts and feel that they are being heard.