Without boundaries remote working can have a negative impact on employees

A new report has found that working from home can have a negative effect on workers’ wellbeing – if boundaries are not put in place.

While remote working has become more normalised and is often expected from workers, having this increased flexibility comes with issues, particularly when it comes to being able to differentiate between work time and home time.

Flexibility can present a ‘double-edged sword’

The findings come from a recent study: ‘Are You in the Zone when Working from Home? How Remote Workers’ Daily Flow Experiences Promote Daily Functioning and Well-Being Through Reduced Work-Home Interruption Behaviours’.

This research from Durham University Business School explored the realities of work in the aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdowns and found that often domestic tasks or distractions in the home can disrupt focus on work tasks.

Many remote workers also find it difficult to switch off and relax, negatively affecting the work-life balance that flexibility promises.

Setting boundaries for remote working

The study recommends:

• Scheduling focus times where they are less likely to be disturbed or distracted by domestic life, creating a dedicated work space such as a spare room-turned-office rather than the kitchen table to remove the temptation to complete home tasks, and creating time to break from all responsibilities and reset.
• Relegating home tasks to lunch breaks may appear to be a more productive use of time overall, but it gives workers little physical or mental respite.
• Actively practising mindfulness each morning can also adjust employees’ mental state, preparing them for the day ahead.
• Managers should set boundaries and introduce proactive, protective practices which ensure remote workers keep pace and connection with office-based colleagues. Engaging remote staff with sufficiently challenging tasks can help to enhance engagement and reduce the likelihood of distraction.

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