As physical and mental wellbeing have risen higher on companies’ agendas, the workplace has evolved to support them. But when a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic hits, and we all leave the office and work instead from our lounges, dining tables or spare rooms, that support network is lost.
Elaine Rossall, head of UK offices research at JLL and chair of the BCO research committee, has offered some thoughts on how to address that challenge.
In this piece for EG, Rossall shares some tips that she says can bring a workplace wellness strategy into our own homes. Get more light, think creatively about how you use the space available to you, stay active if you can and don’t let social distancing stop you from connecting with colleague in whatever way time and technology allow.
“There will come a day when we return to the office, and I hope it is a day not too far off,” Rossall says. “But until then, let’s not use working from home as an excuse to fall into bad habits.”
More inspiration for wellbeing comes from Homes England chief executive Nick Walkley. Encouraged by a recent piece from Avison Young’s Jason Sibthorpe, Walkley explored some of the “considered and conscientious” ways that companies are responding to the human implications of the coronavirus crisis.
Homes England has launched a Wellbeing Hub for staff, which Walkley says features tips, resources and links to other content that employees can use “to reflect on their wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others”.
And on the topic of tips, thanks to Jordan Jeffery, head of asset services at JLL (@JordanKJeffery), for the tag in a series of tweets in which people share three steps they’re taking to nurture their mental wellbeing during lockdown – and encourage others to do the same.
There would certainly have been a time, not too long ago, when people in property would have been unlikely to have spoken about this openly, let along then shout out three other contacts that they want to bring into the conversation. Nice to see that changing and some suggestions being shared that we could all benefit from.
That might be Jeffery’s goal of getting more exercise. Or AXA Real Asset leasing head James Goldsmith’s (@jamesgold_smith) promise to be more present. Or Centric Lab cofounder Josh Artus’s (@Josh_Artus) aim of keeping in touch more closely with friends and family. Or my own efforts to have my head in a good book instead of staring at a TV screen (once I finish Ozark).
Small moves, perhaps, but hopefully ones with a bigger impact. It all helps.
For more on real estate and mental health, visit EG’s dedicated Mental Health hub.
To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@egi.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @estatesgazette
