{"id":12664,"date":"2020-04-06T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/employees-remain-home-work-life-balance-suffers\/"},"modified":"2022-10-18T06:10:08","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T10:10:08","slug":"employees-remain-home-work-life-balance-suffers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/employees-remain-home-work-life-balance-suffers\/","title":{"rendered":"As Employees Remain Home, Work-Life Balance Suffers"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the past several weeks, new social distancing measures related to COVID-19 have temporarily moved employees around the world out of their normal workplaces and offices<\/a>. As a result, remote work<\/a> has exponentially increased, and it\u2019s having a massive effect on employees\u2019 work habits and lifestyle.<\/p>\n

According to recent data<\/a> from NordVPN Teams, a virtual private network provider, the average American adult is working three more hours each day (or 40% more) compared to patterns observed prior to March 11, 2020. Elsewhere, in Europe and Canada, employees are starting work earlier and averaging workdays that are two hours longer.<\/p>\n

\"Average<\/p>\n

For employees used to working on-site, their home is likely ill-equipped to replicate their in-office experience<\/a>. Roommates, family members, pets, and chores can prove to be distracting, while the lack of a dedicated workspace can become uncomfortable and create disorganization. As projects and communication transfer to online formats, many may find it difficult to \u201cturn off\u201d work as long as they are receiving incoming messages, blurring the distinction from \u201cwork time\u201d to \u201cpersonal time.\u201d Ultimately, employees struggle to disconnect to relax and recharge, while others can\u2019t complete tasks in a timely manner between interruptions.<\/p>\n

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Added COVID-19 Challenges<\/h2>\n

COVID-19 has further complicated remote work, even for workers that are already accustomed to regularly working off-site or at home.<\/p>\n

As recreational facilities and businesses deemed \u201cnon-essential\u201d close temporarily, people are putting their personal hobbies and activities on hold, creating less options on how they can spend their non-work time. For employees involved in the food, health, or shipping industries, a surge in the demand for goods and services may also be adding more work than current staff sizes can handle. With childcare and schools closed, many working parents are juggling teaching and care responsibilities throughout the day. The rise in unemployment also means other family members may be left without work or reduced income, adding additional burdens and straining finances and mental health<\/a>. All these new stresses and responsibilities can drag out or expand the scope of work projects that employees are attempting to complete.<\/p>\n

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Help Employees Disconnect, Practice Healthy Habits<\/h2>\n

Working effectively from home involves changes that go beyond putting resources online or switching to video conferences. By being mindful of employees\u2019 life beyond their jobs, companies can better support their workforce\u2019s productivity, focus, and overall well-being.<\/p>\n