.svg)
Teleworking, once considered a marginal option, has now become a pervasive practice in many businesses around the world.
This gradual transition to remote working has been largely driven by technological advances, the need to adapt businesses to exceptional circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and the obvious benefits it offers in terms of flexibility for employees.
However, while remote work brings a new dimension to the way we think about work, it is not without challenges, and one of the most pressing is the possibility of creating a toxic work environment.
A toxic work environment can be defined as “working conditions and a general atmosphere that have a negative impact on the mental and emotional health of employees.”
The factors responsible for this toxicity can vary widely, ranging from tyrannical management to unsustainable overwork, but the consequences are often similar, with the increased risk of burn-out, burnout, and other mental health problems.
In this context, it is becoming essential to recognize the tell-tale signs of a toxic work environment linked to remote work and to understand what concrete actions can be taken to remedy it.
Identifying toxic behaviors
One of the most common challenges associated with working from home is social isolation.
Read our article on social ties at work
Employees who work from home, away from traditional offices, may feel cut off from colleagues and the work environment.
This social break can lead to Feeling alone and isolated, which, if not managed properly, can develop into disorders, including depression or anxiety.
In addition, some employers tend to take an excessive supervisory approach to their remote employees. They want to make sure that they are constantly productive, which means constant monitoring, unplanned calls, and ongoing pressure to always be available. This excessive surveillance can create a climate of mistrust and discomfort among employees, and this has a negative impact on their well-being and motivation.
Another major challenge of teleworking lies in the difficulty of establishing a clear separation between the professional sphere and the personal sphere.
Read our article on the impact of teleworking on work-life balance
While the flexibility of remote work is one of its most attractive features, it can also become a trap if employees fail to set clear boundaries between their working hours and their free time.
This difficulty in disconnecting from work can lead to overwork and contribute to the well-known phenomenon of “burn-out”.
Inefficient communication is another common problem in the context of remote work. Informal exchanges that take place in the office, such as coffee machine conversations or hallway exchanges, can disappear in a remote work environment. This decrease in informal communication can hinder collaboration, creativity, and rapid problem solving.
Finally, remote employees can sometimes perceive a sense of injustice compared to their colleagues working in person, especially when it comes to promotion opportunities, salary increases, and recognition. This sense of injustice can undermine motivation and job satisfaction, contributing to the emergence of a toxic work environment.
Establishing a healthy work environment
Faced with these challenges of teleworking, it is imperative to set up adequate solutions.
First of all, fostering open and regular communication between remote and face-to-face employees is essential to maintaining collaboration and team cohesion.
Setting up virtual communication tools, online meetings, and remote brainstorming sessions can help alleviate this problem.
Discover the best remote communication tools
In addition, it is crucial to encourage remote employees to Establish clear boundaries between their professional and personal lives
They should be encouraged to stick to defined work schedules and take regular breaks to prevent burn-out. Managers play a key role here by actively supporting these practices.
Managers also need to be trained to effectively supervise remote teams, taking into account the specific challenges of this practice. This includes promoting a culture of trust, flexibility, and support, as well as recognizing employee performance regardless of where they work.
Fairness is another essential aspect to take into account. Businesses need to ensure that remote employees have the same opportunities as their colleagues working in person, whether in terms of promotion, salary increases, or recognition. Creating an environment where all employees feel valued and treated fairly is critical.
Finally, mental health support of employees is of paramount importance. Businesses can offer online counseling services or resources to help employees cope with stress, loneliness, and isolation. Mental health awareness within the organization can also help create a more understanding and supportive work environment.
In conclusion, remote work has become an unavoidable reality for many businesses, but it does not come without its share of challenges. To avoid the creation of a toxic work environment, it is essential to put in place appropriate strategies and practices. By promoting open communication, setting clear boundaries, promoting equity, and supporting employee mental health, organizations can successfully manage the challenges of remote work and create a healthy and productive work environment where employees feel valued and supported, regardless of where they work. Teleworking can then become a positive and sustainable component of how we think about work in the future.
