We have a long way to go before we crack the code to solving for mental health. Unlike most ailments, there isn’t a single virus, bacteria or fungi to fight but a myriad of reasons not all of which can be guarded against. It is a bigger battle in some cultures than others and to believe that a one size fits all approach will work is naïve.
For all those who claim that remote work is the future of work, is a great equalizer and saves organizations a lot of real estate costs, I beg you to consider my pains. I know I am not the only one. I know Google has extended its WFH until July 2021. When the pandemic lifts, vaccines are democratized and the world is safe again, if you keep me from working from an old-school office environment, I can guarantee I will likely kill myself. (Ok, I am kidding. I’ll live). P.S: For all those pro remote workers. It’s been four months now. When does it get easier?
Ever since the world entered a lockdown, one thing has been clear – the mental well-being of employees has been put to test like never before. Layoffs, furloughs and the uncertainty of the future have helped accelerate mental breakdowns. For those fortunate, it may seem like a sin to complain but while productivity has shown … Continue reading Five steps for mental well-being during the lockdown
Ever since I started working from home, I find myself hitting disengagement at an increased pace. I know I am not the only one. It is no wonder that new terms like dopamine fasting and rest ethics are making their way into everyday vocabulary at an increased pace. However, before we start looking for solutions, it is important to analyze the problem a little more closely. What does the cycle of engagement look like and why is it spinning out of control?
It is ridiculously easy, it really is. So easy that you wonder how creativity continues to sneak up on to you every now and then. If you are the kind of person who is on an eternal war with creativity, I have just the thing for you. All you need to do is ask a … Continue reading The best way to kill creativity
When Google asked employees to take a day off on May 22 to address work-from-home-related burnout during the coronavirus pandemic, my first reaction was to dismiss it as a PR stunt. After all how much difference can granting one day off make to employees?
Of the many questions floating around, there is one that is on the mind of every HR professional – ‘How do I engage a remote workforce?’ In another day and age, the question may not be as pressing. However, now with a large proportion of any organization working remotely with no end in sight, the … Continue reading Employee Engagement: Embracing Old School
How many times in your career have you waited with nervous anticipation for feedback from your manager? If am not wrong, at least once every year, if not twice or once a quarter. How many times has your manager called you in and given you immediate feedback – either positive or negative? Now let’s flip … Continue reading Sending feedback up the chain
*The award for the longest title goes to <clap clap> 14 days was the magical number. You self-isolate for 14 days and the risks are lower. The number then switched to 21 and suddenly, 30 days later you are still working from home. The initial hopes of returning to lunch with colleagues, water-cooler breaks and a … Continue reading Work-From-Home Recommendations that Do Not Work and How to Fix Them
Because this is the first in the series, I will start with an introduction and we’ll knock it off as we go. My favorite conversations are one where someone who does not work in HR looks with apprehension, albeit politely, at an HR professional who has just sprouted a phrase that HR pros use in … Continue reading #1 Famous HR Terms – 70:20:10
