Can Tech Combat Remote Work Burnout?

One major change sparked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was the trend of remote work for companies across the globe. Millions of people started working remotely, and many thought it was a temporary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

However, it only took a few months to realize that remote work was here to stay. Some corporations implemented a permanent remote work model, while others adopted a hybrid one.

Regardless of these models, one thing many employees and companies are trying to overcome is employee burnout.

Innovative, tech-driven solutions may be an invaluable tool in combating remote work burnout.

While remote work created myriad opportunities for companies to continue operating smoothly during the global pandemic, it's also created unprecedented challenges for the average worker. 

For example, working remotely means employees spend less time surrounded by colleagues working toward the same mission.

There's no way for remote workers to engage in the face-to-face interactions inherent to the traditional office environment. 

Loneliness and isolation are two of the top concerns of remote working and have far-reaching implications. Employees struggling with these feelings might engage in poor decision-making and have increased stress levels. 

Remote work also makes it challenging for employees to set boundaries and separate their personal and professional lives.

Depending on their employer, some workers might lack the right technology to perform well.

Reports suggest that around 26% of employees considered quitting their jobs because they lacked suitable technology to fulfill their job responsibilities.

Remote employees often work long hours, lack personal time to recharge, and do not have a clear separation between work and home. The "always-on" mentality also negatively impacts employees and their mental health. 

As a result of these issues, remote employees are experiencing burnout symptoms, which can decrease their productivity, motivation, sense of fulfillment, and engagement. 

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of work burnout:

Businesses should do their best to keep an open line of communication with remote workers and implement solutions, so employees avoid experiencing burnout. But how can they accomplish this?

Companies might be able to leverage technology to reduce remote work burnout. Below are some ways technology can help employees reduce burnout symptoms and feel more connected and engaged while working from home.

The rise in software like Google Meet, Zoom, and Skype helped support companies as they transitioned to remote work. While these tools are used to hold work-related meetings, performance reviews, or check-ins, they can also create a space for employees to meditate. 

A recent study found that mindfulness meditation effectively reduced burnout for nurses.

These meditation practices can increase self-compassion, decrease burnout symptoms and stress and improve employees' mental health.

The pandemic has impacted virtually everyone's mental well-being, and remote workers are no exception.

Trying to achieve a work-life balance, managing a schedule, and handling childcare and other responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming for an employee.

Thankfully, various mental health apps on smartphones can come in handy. Some examples of popular apps in this category include Calm, Headspace, Happify, and Moodkit. 

Another tech gadget that could help employees reduce feelings of burnout is wearable devices. Take the Apple Watch, for example. 

The watch can monitor the user's breathing, heart rate, the times they stand up during the day, and other aspects of their daily life.

It also has a Breathe feature to help employees re-center themselves if they become frustrated, stressed, or upset during the workday.

Lastly, virtual therapy sessions can help employees discuss their feelings of burnout and consult a licensed mental health counselor to find viable solutions. Telehealth became increasingly popular during the pandemic and will likely continue.

Businesses can use these four technologies to help support their remote workers experiencing burnout symptoms.

Although burnout existed before the pandemic and subsequent remote work trends, business leaders are responsible for preventing and alleviating employee burnout symptoms.

By leveraging available resources and technologies, organizations can assist remote workers with burnout, enabling them to maintain their productivity, feel more engaged, and contribute to the company's mission.