Working From Home: Health & Wellbeing

[AndyCr15]

Do you work from home? What do you do to ensure your (mental and physical) health? What steps does your company take to look after you?

Going out for a walk at lunchtime?
Walking meetings?
Work step/activity competitions?
Planned in virtual 'social' time?

Really I'm just looking for ideas I can use with my new WFH team...

Thanks.

 

[AndyCr15]

Forgive me, but wasn't the argument for home working based on well being that led to more productivity?

Not that I'm aware of. Well, certainly not in my situation anyway, my team is based in different countries. Going into the office isn't an option.

Tbh, I'm not sure what any of your post has to do with health and wellbeing? Maybe I missed something...

 

[AndyCr15]

Some really interesting points in there, thanks.

Treat people like adults and trust them to get the work done

Thankfully I work for a company that I think leans this way, hence the thread I suppose. I want to ensure my team has a healthy work/life balance and generally takes an interest in their own health. Most of them are software developers, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of their out of work interests revolve around a computer too, so how can I encourage them to take on healthy activities as well?

On the odd occasion I'd even join a call whilst out for a walk as it was a larger meeting which didn't require participation and I found the call would fly by.

I was in an 'experimental' walking meeting a few weeks back, which generally worked quite well, although traffic noise caused problems occasionally. For my team, I think there is generally too much unavoidable reliance on computers/spreadsheets/Jira etc to hold a meeting outdoors unless the meeting was specifically called for this purpose. (Which isn't outside the bounds of acceptability)

Did I need to sit and watch TV for an hour whilst finishing little tasks at 6pm? No, but then that was my choice and I would regularly fit that in to my "core" hours if I wanted to do something in the evenings.

It's funny, for the last 9 years or so (when working 'on site') I would encourage my team to finish on time and to make sure they properly 'switched off' when they went home. It's interesting what you say, and makes complete sense, although I don't know I would encourage it as I would worry they didn't then relax enough. As you say though, treat people like adults and let them do what works best for them.

 

[AndyCr15]

Wow, some great stuff, thanks.

I set up a "coffee with" rota with the entire company, you put your name into the pool, and it randomly assigns you a colleague that you have a 30 min chat with.

We have the same. Do you have software that does the random element for you? They tried to use a Slack plugin, but it was limited, so they just use a Google Sheet and rotate the names at the moment.

We have virtual social calls a couple of times a week

It's interesting you have them so often. I wonder if I should create a couple of 'drop in' hours. People can come and chat about anything. Work, or social.

Maybe they get a standing desk

I've been on the verge of ordering one myself this last week. Does anyone use them? I do spend most of my day at my computer desk now, so it makes sense I should stand now and then. I think the biggest thing putting me off is the mess I've created around my current desk would need tidying up and organising!

Now I'm back to trying to eat healthier and walking daily

And this is one of the big questions, what would help motivate this? How can I encourage this in my team...

I'll be moving up north for better housing value

Another thing I've been thinking about. I've lived in London for the last 27 years as that's where I've worked( and earnt a small amount extra as 'London weighting') but now I could work from anywhere in the world... why would I pay London rates etc?! I do have friends down here, so I either just try and move a little north (which is still pretty expensive tbh) or I cut strings and move closer to family in Shropshire or Cambridge and almost 'start a new life'.

 

[AndyCr15]

if most people have Fitbits you could set up a weekly work challenge for most steps.

I think I've heard about apps that will link in to whatever you use, but tbh the ones I've looked at are generally not well reviewed...

you could reward the winner with a £5 Starbucks voucher

I wouldn't be overly upset if there was no budget and I was fronting a fiver a week It's not a bad idea. (Or maybe fortnightly, line it up with our Sprints) Again, I guess with the team being international I might need to do an Amazon voucher, or a selection to choose from perhaps.