Supporting employee wellbeing when working from home
Remote and hybrid working are now a well‑established part of working life across the UK. From corporate teams and professional services to healthcare providers and fast‑growing tech businesses, many organisations now offer a mix of home- and office‑based work. ONS data quoted by HSE showed that around 38% of workers in Great Britain were working remotely or in a hybrid arrangement in January 2026, with 13% working fully from home and a further 25% combining home and office working.
While working from home offers clear benefits, including flexibility, reduced commuting time and improved work‑life balance, it also brings new challenges for both employees and employers – and not only in terms of productivity and output. Supporting people effectively in a remote or hybrid environment also means thinking a little differently about health and wellbeing. Away from the structure and visibility of the workplace, the risks to wellbeing can look different. They are also often easier to miss.
A thoughtful occupational health (OH) approach helps ensure remote staff feel comfortable, connected and supported, and just as valued and cared for as those based in the office.
Supporting employees at home
Working from home can have a complex, double‑edged impact on mental wellbeing. For some employees, remote working reduces stress by removing long commutes, offering greater flexibility, and allowing better control over the working day. For others, it can increase feelings of isolation, blur boundaries between work and home and contribute to fatigue or burnout. In reality, many people experience a combination of both.
While the flexibility element of home working, in particular, is valued by many, research shows there are clear challenges too. A Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) study indicated that 56% of workers who switched to homeworking during the coronavirus pandemic found it harder to switch off, while 67% reported feeling less connected to colleagues. Without the natural structure and social interaction of an office environment, work can quietly extend into evenings, and employees may miss out on the informal support that comes from being around others.
This is where a strong OH approach makes a real difference. Supporting employees at home isn’t about removing flexibility – it’s about making sure people stay mentally well, connected and supported, even when they’re not physically visible.
Key areas for employers to focus on include:
- Maintaining connection – helping employees feel part of a team through regular check‑ins and meaningful interaction
- Reducing burnout risk – encouraging healthy routines and clear boundaries between work and personal life
- Spotting concerns early – identifying signs of stress, isolation or disengagement before they escalate
With the right support in place, remote working can remain the positive, flexible option many employees value, without compromising wellbeing. Proactive management and occupational health support helps ensure no one feels forgotten and that employees can continue to feel valued, supported and able to thrive wherever they work.
Looking after mental health
As touched on above, one of the biggest challenges of working from home for a lot of people is staying connected. Without everyday conversations, informal catch‑ups and the natural social interaction of an office environment, employees can begin to feel disconnected or overwhelmed.
There is growing evidence that remote working, if not well managed, can impact mental health. This is a particularly important consideration given that 15% of UK workers already have an existing mental health condition, and that poor mental health remains a leading cause of sickness absence (Mental Health Foundation).
Simple, compassionate steps can make a real difference, including:
- Having regular, friendly check‑ins that go beyond workload updates
- Encouraging open conversations about mental health
- Creating opportunities for teams to connect and socialise
- Providing access to confidential counselling or wellbeing support
Sometimes, just knowing someone is there to listen can be incredibly reassuring. Occupational health professionals can also provide tailored guidance for employees who may be struggling with anxiety, stress or isolation, helping them stay well and supported while working remotely.
Ergonomic support made simple
Not everyone has a dedicated home office – and that’s completely understandable. Kitchen tables, sofas or spare rooms often become temporary workspaces, but over time these setups can lead to discomfort or injury if the right support isn’t in place.
Poor ergonomics are a common concern. RSPH research found that 39% of people working from home developed musculoskeletal problems, particularly when working from sofas or bedrooms.
Occupational health services can support employees by offering:
- Virtual workstation and Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments
- Practical, easy‑to‑follow advice on improving posture and layout
- Tips to reduce eye strain, back pain and repetitive strain injuries
Often, small adjustments – such as raising a laptop screen, using an external keyboard or improving chair support – can significantly improve comfort and reduce the risk of longer‑term issues.
Managing stress and workload
When home becomes the workplace, switching off isn’t always easy. Without clear boundaries, employees may work longer hours, skip breaks or feel pressure to always be available. Over time, this can contribute to stress, burnout and fatigue.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlights stress and mental health as key risk areas for home workers, reminding employers that health and safety responsibilities apply no matter where employees are working.
Employers can help by:
- Encouraging regular breaks throughout the day
- Setting clear, realistic expectations around availability
- Supporting healthy boundaries between work and personal life
- Promoting manageable workloads and flexible routines
A balanced, sustainable approach benefits everyone – helping employees stay well while supporting consistent performance.
How we can help
Supporting your team doesn’t stop when they log on from home. With the right support in place, remote and hybrid workers can feel confident, healthy and able to perform at their best – wherever they’re based.
From mental health advice and stress management to ergonomic assessments and wellbeing support, occupational health plays a key role in helping people thrive in modern ways of working.
Find out more about how we can support your employee wellbeing strategy by getting in touch with our friendly team today.
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