What do you do if your remote employees are struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance?

In today's remote work environment, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging for your team. As a mentor, it's essential to recognize when your employees are struggling and to provide guidance that helps them navigate the complexities of blending home and work life. Remote work, while offering flexibility, can blur the boundaries between personal and professional time, leading to burnout if not managed correctly. Your role involves not only ensuring project completion but also fostering an environment where your team can thrive both professionally and personally.

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1 Assess Needs

To address work-life balance issues, start by assessing the specific needs of your remote employees. Engage in open dialogue to understand their challenges. Are they overworking due to unclear boundaries, or is it the isolation of remote work affecting their morale? By pinpointing the root causes, you can tailor your support effectively. Remember, each individual's situation is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach won't work. Encourage your team to share their experiences, which can provide valuable insights into how you can assist them better.

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Mallory Byers

Coaching Sales Execs & Leaders to master their INNER GAME + Strategy to GET that promotion, LAND that job & MAKE more $$$ through my 12-week Career Catalyst Program | Ex-Salesforce | 600+ clients landed dream careers
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It also could mean that somewhere in their day, they are taking on too much work ( that might not be theres) its important to have the confidence to know when to say no, but also its about creating a trusting relationship with your manager so you feel safe to express your overwhelm.

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2 Set Boundaries

One key strategy is to encourage the setting of clear boundaries. This includes defining work hours and ensuring employees feel comfortable disconnecting after hours. Encourage them to create a dedicated workspace, if possible, to physically separate work from personal life. It's also important for you to respect these boundaries by not expecting immediate responses to emails or messages sent outside of their working hours. By modeling this behavior, you help create a culture of respect for personal time, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance.

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Katrina Murphy

Work-Life Integration Coach | Solving overwhelm for seasoned professionals so they can refocus on what's most important & create greater impact & legacy | Well-being Expert | Your Success+Fulfillment = My Mission
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It's easy to blur the lines of working hours when functioning remotely. Often employees find themselves spending early morning hours checking emails over coffee instead of chatting with their partner. It's imperative to have limits around when you'll be available. This not only forces more of a balance between work and life, but also creates mental space not associated with professional goals.

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3 Provide Resources

Offering resources that support work-life balance is another way to assist your remote employees. This could involve sharing time management techniques, suggesting project management tools that streamline their workflow, or even providing access to wellness programs. Consider setting up virtual workshops or mentoring sessions focused on managing remote work challenges. By providing these resources, you're not just helping your employees cope; you're empowering them to take control of their work-life balance.

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Nicolás Martínez Lalis

Professor and Licensed Psychologist (UBA) | Specialist in Teaching and Technology | Specialist in Organizational and Work Psychology | Instructional Design | Product Owner | Digital Marketing | Career Coach
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Por un lado concientizaría sobre la importancia de las pausas activas en el trabajo, más que sería frente a un ordenador y la fatiga que trae asociada. Luego trabajaría en los kpis o los objetivos esperarles para esa persona. En este sentido, en una matriz de prioridades, trataría de acompañarlo en el aprendizaje de qué cosas son importantes, urgentes y qué cosas no tienen impacto

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4 Encourage Breaks

Regular breaks are vital for preventing burnout and maintaining productivity. Encourage your remote employees to take short, frequent breaks throughout the day to recharge. They should step away from their screens, stretch, or engage in a brief activity that they enjoy. It's also beneficial to promote taking longer breaks or days off when needed. Remind them that taking time off is not a sign of weakness but a necessary part of sustaining long-term productivity and well-being.

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Jennifer Recla

Helping newly promoted nonprofit Directors & Executives navigate their workload, lead with confidence, & build high-performing teams | Leadership & Team Development | Top Values: Fun & Adventure
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Yes! Brain breaks are so important for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Studies have shown that breaks can lead to more productivity (look up the Pomodoro Technique to learn more). It's one thing to say you are going to take more breaks, but another to actually follow through. Here are a couple of tips that could help: 1. Agree on two-three breaks for the team each day and send a calendar invite that says "Step away from your desk & grab a snack/walk/water!" 2. Share a free app that prompts breaks throughout the day. 3. Hold a contest asking the team to take 3 breaks a day for a week & give a small prize for those that follow through (maybe they mark their break in a chat channel to keep track).

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5 Foster Connection

Fostering a sense of connection among remote employees can alleviate feelings of isolation and contribute to a better work-life balance. Create opportunities for virtual team-building activities and informal catch-ups that allow employees to interact on a personal level. Encourage the use of collaborative tools that facilitate easy communication and foster a sense of community. When employees feel connected to their colleagues, they're likely to experience greater job satisfaction and a more harmonious integration of work into their lives.

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6 Prioritize Health

Lastly, emphasize the importance of physical and mental health. Encourage your remote employees to establish routines that include regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep. Mental health should also be a priority; provide support or referrals to professional counseling services if needed. By prioritizing health, you're sending a clear message that your employees' well-being is valued, which can significantly improve their overall work-life balance.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Rocio Tallarico MBA -Certified Coach

HR 💥 Agile 💥 Change management
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Una alternativa que puede servir en marcar bloques de trabajo sin distracción (pueden ser individuales o en equipo) y reunirse con cierta periodicidad para establecer acuerdos de bienestar entre los miembros. Los cambios de horarios y las rutinas nuevas de trabajar siempre remoto no son los mismo para un nómada digital que para un padre de familia. Hay que establecer pautas para todos los públicos y tiempos de encuentro común y saludable.

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What do you do if your remote employees are struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance?

1

2

3

4

5

6

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1 Assess Needs

2 Set Boundaries

3 Provide Resources

4 Encourage Breaks

5 Foster Connection

6 Prioritize Health

7 Here’s what else to consider

Coaching & Mentoring

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What do you do if your remote employees are struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Needs

2 Set Boundaries

3 Provide Resources

4 Encourage Breaks

5 Foster Connection

6 Prioritize Health

7 Here’s what else to consider

Coaching & Mentoring

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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