While remote work has many advantages, it also presents some challenges: Employee burnout from overwork 69% of employees working from home report burnout symptoms. These symptoms include feeling tired or drained, feeling helpless and defeated, and feeling overwhelmed. Burnout often occurs when the line between a worker’s personal life and work life becomes blurred, preventing the worker from “switching off.” Companies can combat burnout by adopting remote work policies that outline everyone’s work hours and encourage time off and work-life balance. Employee loneliness and isolation In an APA survey, nearly two-thirds of people working from home reported feeling isolated or lonely sometimes, and 17% said they do all the time. This data can be attributed to remote workers’ inability to form relationships organically and engage in face-to-face office chit-chats, potentially lowering the sense of belonging and camaraderie. The best way to tackle remote work loneliness is to encourage casual communication. Virtual coworking spaces, such as a slack channel, or Google hangout, are great places for remote workers to get together to discuss non-work-related issues, exchange memes, and share interesting links and materials. Communication breakdown between teams A study of communication habits of 61,000 Microsoft staff found that workers communicated less frequently outside of their immediate teams or with colleagues they had “weak ties” with when they made the switch to remote. Fortunately, technology has made remote work easier with the availability of collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Companies should clearly define the purpose of each tool and develop communication guidelines that set a standard in online communication etiquette. Companies should encourage both synchronous and asynchronous communication methods—especially for teams spread across time zones. Distractions at home A GitLab report found that 47% of 3,000 respondents said that at-home distractions were a top challenge when working remotely. The top distractions include family members, roommates, pets, and noisy neighbors. To overcome these distractions, remote workers need to: Set boundaries by informing those around them of their working hours and routine Find a quiet space to work, whether a spare room, coffee shop, or coworking space Schedule breaks that allow time to reply to messages, take care of chores or speak to the family Technology hiccups In a US-based survey of 1000 people, more than half of the respondents reported experiencing tech issues while working remotely. The most common included slow internet speeds, slow or broken devices, and computer viruses. Here are some ways employers can ensure remote workers receive the necessary technical support: Provide access to 24/7 IT support Supply necessary tech equipment such as laptops, work phones, and headsets Provide a work-from-home stipend to cover extra costs like high-speed internet and virus protection software Physical health issues from sitting inside all-day A survey of 2,000 remote and hybrid workers in the US found that 50% reported an increase in lower back pain, 48% in shoulder pain, and 52% in eye strain. Solutions include: Standing desks Posture trainers Ergonomic chairs and desks Scheduling times for walks throughout the day