How Managers Can Help Them Tackle It

Lone working is a growing trend, especially due to the adoption of the remote working culture by many companies. Approximately 53 million Canadian, European, and US workers identify as lone workers. Lone working might have its benefits, but the impact on the mental health of the affected parties is massive. People working alone feel isolated and lack social interaction, which affects their sense of belonging. Many lone workers claim to experience a series of uncertain thoughts, leading to anxiety and depression.

Lone workers have higher chances of experiencing burnout due to a lack of moral and social support and the pressure of being alone. Workers exposed to lone work environments for a long time may feel worthless, hopeless, and sad.

What Is Lone Working and Its Challenges

Lone workers fall under a class of employees who operate under no direct or strict supervision. It could be a remote content creator, a contractor, a self-employed person, and more. They can be found in any type of work setting, including but not limited to healthcare, retail stores, security firms, and fixed establishments.

Although we have no legal clause prohibiting people from working alone, employers need to conduct risk assessments to optimize the safety of their work environments. The following are challenges largely affecting lone workers.

• • Accidents and injuries: There are higher odds of a lone worker being involved in an accident and getting hurt.

• • Violence and aggression: Lone workers lack the social defense needed during aggressive and violent situations.

• • Health and safety threats: Lone working exposes one to safety and health risks not common in team environments. This happens when operating in risk environments or using equipment designed for team workers.

• • Mental health challenges: Sole workforces are at higher risk of falling victim to stress-related mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

What Are the Mental Health Implications of Lone Working?

Working alone provides sovereignty and flexibility but triggers a whole lot of mental health implications. Operating in lone business settings or environments poses the risk of an employee being stressed, depressed, feeling isolated, and losing interest in their work. Every employer needs to implement systems and strategies to mitigate the mental implications of lone workers.

• • Burnout: Lack of social support increases the risk of experiencing burnout. A lone worker is more likely to feel overwhelmed by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.

• • Loneliness feelings: Feelings of isolation for prolonged periods, especially due to being alone in rural areas or isolated work environments, make one feel forsaken. It could ultimately lead to low self-esteem and negative thoughts.

• • Stress and depression: It’s natural for our emotional well-being to suffer when we lack emotional support. Lacking backup and support at work makes you feel responsible for your safety and health, triggering overwhelming levels of stress.

• • Substance abuse: The chances of a lone worker abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with stress are pretty high. Overreliance on drugs could lead to addiction and many more health problems.

Effective Ways To Promote Work-Life Balance for Lone Workers

As an employer, you can set your lone-working team up for success and improve their work-life balance in several easy ways. These are effective ways to foster a safe work-life balance for lone workers in your organization while still optimizing profits and company growth.

Implement Use of Stay-Connected Technologies For Remote Workers

The two crucial aspects, self-safety and self-assurance, are lacking for employees in isolated and remote work settings. Utilize the latest technologies to keep your in-house and remote workers socially connected. Technologies like GPS tracking, two-way radios, video calling, and wearable panic technology assure workers of their safety and support. These technologies make it easy for you to summon help when you feel threatened.

Fostering a Communication Work Culture

Set up an environment where your employees feel safe to voice their worries to colleagues and supervisors. This induces a feeling of support and connection amongst workers, reducing feelings of stress and depression.

Encourage Taking Regular Breaks

Create undemanding work schedules so workers have the chance to take breaks when they feel overwhelmed by emotions. Regular breaks allow workers to walk around, stretch, and get fresh air, which makes them reinvigorated and motivated.

Provide Access to Support Services

Ensure your workers have access to mandatory support services, including peer support and counseling groups, to help them manage isolation and stress.

Effectively Train and Educate Managers

Every employer should invest in programs to train and educate managers on how to deal with lone workers. Get your managers to understand the mental health challenges faced by lone workers and tips on how to identify and support them in their struggle. Invest in programs that impart skills and knowledge to managers easily:

• • Identify symptoms of mental health problems in lone workers

• • Talk to and help lone workers manage their mental health

• • Provide the support lone workers need to perform better at work and stay connected with other workers

Monitor and Check-in Lone Workers

Managers should carefully monitor and conduct regular check-ins to provide the support lone workers need to handle mental health problems. Doing so offers support to the workers and creates a strong sense of trust. It helps the managers identify mental health symptoms in time to intervene early enough. Monitoring and checking in on lone workers can prevent occupational stress and improve employee performance, according to several studies.

• • Informal conversations: A manager can check in with a lone worker during regular work conversations to better get an idea of how the worker is coping and doing.

• • Using technology: Managers can invest in technology-based systems to effectively monitor and check in employees working in lone settings. Top solutions include wearable devices and lone worker applications.

• • Formal check-in systems: You can use organization-based formal check-in systems to effectively track your employees’ mental health by checking text messages, phone calls, and emails.

Take Into Consideration All Legal and Ethical Considerations

Managers are legally and ethically required to put into place the right measures and technologies to protect the safety and health of their staff. Yes, they need to make the workplace safe enough for workers who lack direct access to other workers to effectively manage their mental health. Managers have legal and ethical obligations to provide the following:

• • Providing effective and well-timed opportunities for employees to socially interact, including online chat groups and team meetings.

• • Providing regular training on mental health to enlighten lone workers on the symptoms of mental health issues and how they can cope with work-related anxiety and stress.

• • Creating a culture of acceptance and openness offers an opportunity for workers to have the pride and comfort of engaging colleagues and managers on the topic of mental health.

• • Encouraging lone workers to exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and eat healthy diets to improve their physical and mental health.

Guest Writer: Emma Wright