The Coronavirus pandemic has been an alarming time for everyone and while the idea of working from home may seem like a novelty, you may be struggling more than you had anticipated in realty.
If you’re struggling to cope with remote working, you must be able to talk to your boss to prevent your mental health suffering and be less productive. Here are some top tips to bear in mind: 1. Understand your reaction
First and foremost, it’s important to get to grips with your own emotions and understand that what you’re feeling is an entirely normal reaction to the current pandemic. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t take the relevant steps to ensure that you keep your mental health in check. This may mean you wish to take on more projects than usual to keep your mind occupied or on the other hand, need to take time off to gather your thoughts and make sense of your feelings 2. Identify your requirements
While working from home, you’ll likely have a vast amount of different needs as opposed to simply working in the office. You may not be able to recognise what they are straight away, but over time, may allow you to identify what exactly it is you need to get things completed. In order to do so, pay attention to which aspects of your workload that you’re most struggling with and whether you need to make a point of it to your boss. Some examples include:
- A reduced workload
- Working on new projects
- Cut down on Zoom meetings
Employees struggling with mental health may ideally like to take flexible hours so that they’re able to fit their work around personal commitments; and of course, be able to concentrate within a quarantined household. When speaking with your boss, ask whether it would be possible to work hours that match your personal life so that you don’t have to juggle both work and family time simultaneously. 3. Decide who to turn to
If you work within a large corporation, you may be struggling to define the best person to speak to regarding your worries. Is there anyone specifically to turn to when you require advice or for emotional worries, or do you feel like you should speak directly with your manager? Do be aware that not all managers are trained in mental health and may react differently to your worries, however, a written letter may enable you to put your point across clearly and seek the support you require.
4. Protect yourself legally
If you’re unafraid of the company’s response regarding your mental health and feel you’re not getting the support you need, there are approaches you take to protect your job and health at the same time. Book a virtual appointment with your doctor to receive a documentation of your mental health diagnosis to ensure you’re fully protected.
As a last resort, you may consider leaving your job and changing careers and you may need your CV and cover letter re-written. This is where we can help – get in touch with us today!
