The many intricate parts of employee psychology affect whether people are happy with their careers and stay in their jobs. Positive mindsets result in improved business performance, so workplace psychology is critical to every company’s success. The increase in virtual positions makes many professionals wonder how workplace psychology applies to remote work. These are the top ways people react to and benefit from online employment.
Some people focus better alone
Offices should be distraction-free spaces, but that isn’t always possible. People get pulled away from their work by unnecessary meetings, phone calls, and even conversations happening between co-workers across the aisle. One research project found that people with complex jobs that require minimal collaboration perform better by telecommuting rather than working in an office space.
This new aspect of workplace psychology affirms that virtual positions are more than convenient. They can also be crucial to helping individuals in unique roles succeed in their jobs.
Inclusion can take new forms
No workplace would function without an inclusive environment. It benefits everyone’s mental well-being by creating spaces for their contributions without judgement. Some management teams may worry that workplace psychology in digital workplaces lacks this crucial factor, but that isn’t the case.
New forms of inclusive professional opportunities give people creative ways to continue connecting with their teams. Virtual game nights, meetings, and team-building events are still possible. Digital spaces also create more chances for everyone to bond after-hours, leading to more cohesion through building trust and relationships.
Avoiding burnout should remain a priority
Unhealthy workspaces push employees to their limits. Working long hours, dealing with a commute, and feeling stuck at their desk intensifies employee stress levels and leads to high turnover rates. Every management team should actively avoid burnout in their offices, which can also apply to virtual employees.
Workplaces with the lowest annual retention also have the smallest digital workforce compared to other companies in their industry. Opening new virtual positions and creating hybrid schedules for existing employees will improve employee psychology in remote workspaces by giving everyone flexibility to adjust their schedules according to their mental wellness needs.
Continuing education becomes easier
People who love their careers will want to hone their skills. Even those who aren’t sure what they want for their professional future may participate in educational programs to see what they enjoy. It may be challenging to provide these opportunities when in-person classes require physical spaces that accommodate attendees, company-provided meals, and after-hours time.
Digital workspaces make professional development much easier for everyone. Courses can occur online, even on the sites where employees already complete their daily tasks. They might check into a streamed lecture while ordering delivery for lunch.
Employees feel appreciated when they can dive into material that interests them and helps their career. The appreciation contributes to how e-learning increases retention rates from 25% to 60% across industries. When people feel like their mental wellness is thriving, the workplace becomes a happier, more productive place.
People still need separate lives
Employee psychology in remote workspaces can become complicated when people start their first full-time virtual job. They no longer have a commute separating their personal and professional lives, so the two can become combined in an unhealthy manner. If people can’t unplug from their work and relax at home, their productivity and professional fulfillment begin to suffer.
Management teams should helpfully enforce this mental separation by not encouraging longer workdays for virtual employees. Checking hour logs and connecting with people putting in too much time demonstrates personal care that helps everyone find a valued place within their team.
Study workplace psychology in digital workplaces
Once people learn how workplace psychology applies to remote work, helping teams thrive or finding balance in a virtual position is possible. Working together to prioritize mental wellness, an inclusive company environment, and an ever-expanding future full of professional potential will make digital workspaces better for everyone.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg.
