How can we make connections in a remote working world?

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (which takes place between May 9^th and 16^th) is ‘loneliness’.

According to The Mental Health Foundation, this week will look into the experience of loneliness, how it can impact mental health, and the role people can play in reducing it within communities. Many are also using this time to reflect on what employers and leaders can do to support their staff members.

The world of work has changed drastically in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with many employers now embracing digital-first working structures. While this can provide multiple benefits (think better work-life balance and flexibility), given that many of the interactions will be largely online, this can lead to some feeling a loss of connection - as was noted in a recent LinkedIn News blog post. In fact, in a survey conducted by Survation, almost three-quarters of workers (73%) believe that their employers should take action to mitigate against the loneliness they experience while flexible working.

To help combat this, and to promote connections in a remote working world, Grapevine Leaders has collated three things that HR leaders can do to help: