The impact of WFH on employee mental health

The impact of WFH on employee mental health

The UK’s working from home regime is a threat to the state of employee mental health says new research.

A survey by Opinium in April 2020 among 1,250 UK employees found that more than a third of home-working employees had already experienced a negative impact on their psychological wellbeing from the new arrangements. 46% felt isolated; 36% were concerned about what the longer-term implications of WFH would be for their mental health. 

Particular problems are being faced by home-workers who live alone (with around half struggling with mental wellbeing); as well as those trying to juggle work with home-schooling children (41% reported an increase in their stress levels). 39% have problems managing different caring responsibilities and 30% struggle with not having a dedicated workspace. 

“Working from home isn’t a ‘bad thing’ in itself – it’s going to affect employees in very different ways depending on circumstances,” says Eugene Farrell, chair of EAPA UK.

“The research also points out how around half of the homeworkers also found the new arrangements made them feel ‘more relaxed’. No commute. More time and flexibility. 

“What’s essential is that all employees, especially those working remotely, feel there’s always someone they can talk to about the inevitable anxieties that come with change – worries exacerbated by disconnection from a familiar workplace, ways of working and face-to-face contact. WFH might seem a blessing one day and a nightmare the next – and HR need to be ready.

“EAPs are a crucial service during lockdown; a way to provide blanket coverage for dealing with all concerns; helping to fill in that sense of distance and dislocation; personal, human and confidential.”

Here’s the link to the full report – https://www.opinium.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-surge-in-working-from-home-The-effects-on-mental-wellbeing-1.pdf