2020 has seen many businesses experience more upheaval than ever before. Some were forced to temporarily close due to Lockdown restrictions, others had to hastily switch to remote working. And all of this has undoubtedly had a huge impact on the wellbeing of many employees.

That’s why it is more important than ever to check in on them and ensure they are adapting to their new way of working. And what better time to do so than National Work Life Week which runs 12th – 16th October.

National Work Life Week provides an opportunity for both employers and employees to focus on wellbeing at work. It is also a chance to assess one’s overall work / life balance.

Some people will no doubt be enjoying a healthier work / life balance since switching to home-working; cutting out a stressful daily commute and spending more quality time with their family. Others, however, may be finding it hard to adjust – perhaps they’re forgetting to take adequate breaks, maybe they’re struggling to get motivated or stay focused, or perhaps they’re missing face-to-face interaction with colleagues. All of these issues have the potential to impact on an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Therefore, National Work Life Week is a great time to discuss concerns such as these with your team and share tips on best to overcome them. Some may benefit from a group video chat where everyone can talk openly about how they’re finding working from home, whereas others may feel more comfortable writing down their thoughts in a private email. However you choose to approach it, the key thing is to start a dialogue and ensure all team members are comfortable speaking up if they need help.

For more information about National Work Life Week, head to www.workingfamilies.org.uk/nationalworklifeweek. Alternatively, if you’d like to find out how YourGP’s Occupational Healthcare professionals could help promote wellbeing in your workplace, call 0131 225 5656 or email occhealth@your.gp.