October 2018

Work and Wellbeing: Keeping your Remote Team Happy

In our last blog we touched on how mental health struggles can have a very be impact on productivity in the workplace. Mental health is something that a lot of us in the UK are struggling with, approximately 1 in 4 of us will face these problems on a regular basis. Particularly with a remote working team with limited separation form work and life, it can be easy to fall in to a slump.

It doesn’t have to be that way – there’s plenty that can be done to keep your remote team happy. Whether it’s the right tools to work efficiently or just an open mind, The Lunar team have a few tips for a healthy and happy team.

For happy minds, keep an open mind

In 2018 more and more employers are recognising the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace. However there are still some that question the validity of struggles with mental illness. It can be difficult to recognise an invisible struggle, however that doesn’t make it any less real for your team. It’s also important to recognise that ignoring mental wellbeing can lead to serious drops in productivity, costing you both time and money.

Here to help

Your team wants to do the best for you, they take pride in their work just as much as your take pride in your business. Whilst they need to put the work in, there’s plenty you can do to provide the space and the tools for them to do that.

• Provide your team with the proper tools to work effectively – a bespoke CRM solution that offers all the necessary tools to do the best job and can be used to work anytime, anywhere will help limit the stress of your team.
• Offer flexible working where you can – working 9 to 5 may seem the best way to make a living, but such strict early hours can be detrimental to many with mental health struggles. Particularly with a remote team, loosening up the schedule to allow your team to work on their tasks at a time that suits them will see a boost in overall productivity. So long as daily targets are being met, the time they’re met is less important.
• Allow for “down days” where possible – mental health is unpredictable, so allowing your team the space to work at a limited capacity when they’re struggling will ensure they’re at their most productive when they’ve recovered. This might mean a harder days’ work later in the week, but if you’re understanding with your team they’ll be willing to play catch up.
• Encourage your team to be open and honest about their struggles.

The tools to help

Flexibility is the key to success when it comes to working around mental health issues. A bespoke CRM solution will grant you and your team that flexibility, giving you the ability to work in any place (even if that is your bed). It’s easy to see why remote work is becoming such a popular option, as teams are given more time to put their health first without being chained to a desk. No more losing hours of your day to a lengthy commute, more time spent with the people you care about or focusing on you.  With a purpose built CRM solution, there’s no more anxiety around wondering if everyone has access to what they need, for you or your team.

Break the silence culture

A lot of people struggling with their mental health will suffer with silence. Show your team that it’s okay to talk about their struggles – we’re all human at the end of the day. With a remote team, make time to check in with them so no one is feeling isolated, even if it’s just an e-mail mid-week. Talk to your team about how to overcome their struggles, you can make adjustments to their work schedules without losing productivity.

Do you want to give your team the best tools to manage their stress and keep your workplace happy? Get in touch to try a demo of Lunar CRM’s bespoke solution, or explore our website to learn more.