Where we work has a major impact on how we interact. With technology and video calls we can join meetings and conversations regardless of where we are, and this has been invaluable during the pandemic and lockdowns. Yet it’s still the case that even though we can join a meeting and virtual discussion, it’s not exactly the same as being in a room together – we miss non-verbal cues (which are a major part of how we communicate) and it’s harder to have an open free form discussion.
As we’ve seen from our look at Digital Wellbeing this week, it is also much healthier for us to step away from our screen from time to time.
Many of us will be planning to do that very shortly as we transition into a new way of working in Pippbrook from 4th October. With that in mind……..
How do you feel about working in the office more from October onwards?
This was the latest topic that we, the Mental Health First Aiders, discussed in our latest catch up.
We talked about working from home being a skill that it takes time to master, with many of us feeling we’d come along way, but there was a common theme of some uncertainty we were bound to feel in terms of pandemic working arrangements and that listening to the media can amplify this.
Here is a round-up of the various views.
- “For myself – I don’t mind where I work – I’ve now actually figured out how to work from home (!) but I am really looking forward to being back in as a team. We are making an occasion of it. There will be cakes. For my job, it is far easier when the team and I are all in the office. Working from home gives me less visibility, and this means I miss out on the opportunity to praise people when I see and hear them doing their jobs well. Complaints will always find their way to me, but good things need to be directly seen or heard to be noticed. Constant negativity brings anyone down”
- “4th October is not a big day to me, as I have been working onsite through lockdown, as needed. For me, I’m more concerned about the need to keep on top of constantly changing Covid rules. At times it’s been particularly difficult to manage the very the diverse (and strongly held) customer views – each wanting polar opposites, and sometimes telling us in no uncertain terms. Having said that as I have a 45 minute commute it’s good not to have to come in when my job doesn’t require it. As a team we’re aware that some jobs cannot be done from home and some can so we’re open to suggestions to improve overall fairness. Having the flexibility to find a balance is positive”
- “I’m really looking forward to normalising being at home. I recently took leave and as I was at home, it didn’t really feel like leave. My home has begun to feel like my office. I am also very keen to feel like I have a workplace community again – catching up on a regular basis with people in my work social group gives me a feeling of belonging that’s part of what I want from my work life”
- “I enjoy contrast between flexibility and routine. On the days I have been in the office it has been a bit strange as so few people are in, though the numbers are gradually increasing. I think it will be better going in when more people are there. I know most of my colleagues are keen to get back in. There are bound to be concerns over how we come out of Covid restrictions safely, but I think most people seem sensible enough to recognise we cannot predict every possible scenario in advance, we will continue to plan as best we can”
- “I am looking forward to having more routine, with more certainty about when I’m in and when I’m not in. I’m also really looking forward to benefitting from the flexibility on a longer term basis – I think this is great. I didn’t think I’d enjoy, or benefit from working at home, nearly as much as I have. I have set myself up now with a good workspace. The media really get me down and I have to try not to listen. I never thought of myself as an anxious person, but I have been feeling anxious about the level of uncertainty and how it could impact me in so many different ways. I am generally a people person; I have managed to get a lot of work done that I would not be able to do in the office”
- “I’m been going in regularly for a while so I’ve been getting more used to it. It takes a lot of thinking about – all the different things you need to take in, so initially I find it a bit of a drag. But once I’m there, I feel very productive and useful. Being in the office is not a slow day. My team are often away from their desks, out and about, so there is no scope for anyone to make negative judgments about people who are not there. I’m ready for it. My husband works entirely from home and he is very envious that I have an office to go to”
- “I want the routine, I like talking to people and I will enjoy being away from home more. If I’m not going out, my evenings can feel like work too if I’ve been there all day. I’d like more separation. I think having 2 days is a good way to start and it feels like the right time. I understand people will have anxieties and uncertainties, it will take some getting used to again. I will find it odd being in an office of people being noisy as I’m used to working in the quiet!”
- “I’m looking forward to having some more structure. Even if I’ve not wanted to go in beforehand, I feel in a very different (better) mood coming home from days in the office, as opposed to sitting on my screen all day. It can be odd though going into an empty office, so I’d like to see more people there when I’m in. I have had some very dark times through lockdowns, as I’m sure others have too, and I really would not want to have to spend another winter almost entirely from home. I have found my world got really small, and although I’ve not been happy with that, I’ve also started to get nervous about how to make it bigger again. It’s not good for me not to mix with lots of different people in person. This is a surprise to me”
- How about you, what are thoughts about the planned changes for October? It’s normal to have very mixed feelings, just like our Mental Health First Aiders. You may be one of the people who’ve been in the office or onsite throughout – if so you’re likely to have mixed views on sharing the space you’ve had to yourselves.
- Can you identify better habits you’ve got into that you can maintain even on days you’re not working from home? You may have to get better at planning – healthy lunches to bring from home, exercise, caring or supervision activities, etc.
- What are the positives about coming in more? Many of us identified quite a few.
- Thinking about things like this can improve our mental health. Good mental health, just like physical health, needs positive attention to maintain.
- You don’t need to feel pressured by what anybody else is doing or how anyone else is feeling. The pandemic has impacted us all in different ways, and we are all different people, so think about whatever is right for you.
- Don’t forget we’re here for you – We have 11 members of staff trained as Mental Health First Aiders. Here are their names, photographs, a very short biography and details of what they can do for you. So if you just want help talking through any changes you need to get ready for, to get into better habits for your mental wellbeing, or if you need to talk to somebody, do get in touch.