Physical and mental health checklist for remote workers

Questions for employees

• Have you established a dedicated work area in your home - even if you don’t have a separate home office?
• Do you have an ergonomic workstation that includes a suitable chair and desk?
• Do you maintain a daily routine that includes regular start and stop times for work, as well as breaks?
• Are you using the tools and resources made available by your employer to support remote work?
• Are you communicating regularly with colleagues by phone or video conference?
• Are you taking time to enhance your skills or develop professionally?
• Are you engaging in self-care activities, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation?
• Are you maintaining a healthy, balanced diet?
• Are you staying hydrated throughout the day?
• Are you getting enough sleep?
• Are you consistently taking prescribed medications and supplements?
• Are you controlling your media consumption (especially overwhelming negative news)?

Questions for business leaders and managers

• Do you stay in regular contact with remote employees, including through phone calls and video conferences?
• Do you provide sufficient IT support for remote employees?
• Do you help remote employees access the resources they need to successfully do their job?
• Do you provide digital communications channels for both work and social engagement amongst your employees?
• Do you take the time to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of remote workers?
• Do you provide employees with opportunities for professional development?
• Do you sufficiently onboard new employees, including through video conferences, to introduce them to team members?
• Do you provide employees with training about healthy work-from-home practices?
• Do you encourage employees to set up ergonomic home workspaces?
• If you use a laptop, do you have a laptop stand, external mouse, and full-size keyboard so that you can maintain a comfortable position for a full day of work?