Fifteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The study contextualises the impact of the transition from physical working practices within organisations to remote working patterns and how it affects the mental health of the employees. The key aim of the study is to analyse the impact that remote working has on employee mental health. The study undertook a secondary collection of data that included extracting data from the Internet, articles, books, organisational reports, social media, and government publications. The results generated from the data analysed, identified a number of ways in which employees’ mental health has been impacted by COVID-19 due to remote working. The findings reveal an adverse effect of COVID-19 on the physical and mental well-being of employees working from home. The living conditions of employees who work from home were investigated with regards to physical exercise, eating patterns, communication with colleagues, adjusted working hours and other distractions and a decrease in physical and mental health was observed. It was recommended that organisations put in place virtual health and wellness seminars for employees who work from home. Organisations should put in place palliatives to cushion the effect of financial burden and stress attached to COVID-19. Employees who work from home should be encouraged to be engaged in activities that guides against burnout, depression, and anxiety. Also, a key policy priority should be put in place to ensure that all organisations consider the mental health of their employees as a top priority and how to curb the long-term effect of working from home.