Thrive at Work at Home
Our evidenced-based guide and tips for successfully working from home
It's a difficult time
Some people are suffering from illness or the illness of loved ones; others are facing imminent job loss or change; and yet others are socially isolated or stuck at locations away from home. All of us are united in our deep concern about the implications of coronavirus for our society and economy.
Work plays a vital role in maintaining individual and collective health and productivity in this uncertain future.
There are undoubtedly some perks of people working at home; no commuting being a big one. However, there are also some downsides and risks too, such as the potential for more distractions, and social isolation.
Fortunately there is considerable research evidence concerning how to maximise the benefits of working from home as well as how to minimize some of the downsides.
We provide some initial resources about how to enhance productivity and mental health and well-being of people working from home. Each day, we will provide a daily tip as a video and blog.
Daily video and blog series
1. Working from home: Why should we care about this topic?
Professor Sharon Parker introduces the series and argues that it is critical for Australia’s economy and the well-being of its people to promote effective working from home.
2. Set up your team for success during COVID-19 crisis
Professor Sharon Parker gives managers three tips for setting a team to work successfully from home:
1. Provide support | 2. Discuss how to work together | 3. Don’t forget the big picture.
3. Be kind to yourself: Self-Compassion in Difficult Times
Professor Sharon Parker discusses how, in the midst of uncertainty and stress, it is important not to avoid your emotions, to be kind to yourself, and not to judge yourself too harshly.
6. Tethered or trusted? The “There’s no excuse not to be at your desk” phenomenon
Professor Sharon Parker discusses the importance of conveying to your workers that you trust them, to give them as much autonomy and flexibility as suits the situation and the person, and focus on the results your team deliver.
9. Are you a Zoom Zombie? How to take control of your virtual meetings
Professor Sharon Parker explains how opting for a phone call or an email is sometimes more appropriate than a virtual meeting and when video-conferencing is required, it's important to keep it short, take micro-breaks and also allow informal chit chat.
13. Best of Both Worlds or Confusion? “Hybridizing” Needed to Juggle Back and Forth Home-Office Working
Juggling between working from home one day, and then working in the office the next, is challenging and calls for new ‘hybridizing’ skills. Professor Sharon Parker shares some tips to optimise your adjustment to this mixed model.
Find out about our
Working from Home survey
We led a global longitudinal research study on your current work experiences, the Thrive at Work at Home survey.
These are now the final results having screened out inappropriate / incomplete cases. Note that the most recent ABS data (2018) said 13% of people experience psychological distress, our survey shows has this number has doubled during the COVID-19 crisis.
Media/blog articles
Additional resources for Thriving at Work at Home
Working from Home:
ABC radio interview
Professor Sharon Parker discusses the challenges of working from home and how to overcome them in an interview with Jessica Strutt (ABC Radio Perth).
Remote Managers Are Having Trust Issues
It seems that during the Covid-19 pandemic, some managers are having a hard time adjusting to managing employees without “line of sight.” Hand in hand with managers’ struggles, many employees are feeling the negative effects of close monitoring and distrust from their bosses. The good news is that these managers can be supported and trained to manage their employees more effectively from a distance.
Need specific help or guidance for your team or organisation?
Your needs for supporting your workers might be unique to your situation. We provide rapid literature reviews, pulse checks on the mental health of your workers, in-depth customised surveys, Thrive at Work audits of mental health practices, evaluations of change, and more.