Mental health in the hybrid workplace has become an increasingly important issue as hybrid work models become a permanent fixture in the modern workforce. While hybrid work offers employees the flexibility to work from home or the office—saving time on commuting and providing a better work-life balance—it also brings unique mental health challenges. The blurred boundaries between personal and professional life, feelings of isolation from colleagues, and the difficulty of fully disconnecting can all negatively impact employees’ well-being.
In fact, a recent survey from FlexJobs revealed that 75% of workers have experienced burnout, with nearly 40% reporting that their burnout had worsened during the pandemic due to the challenges of remote and hybrid work. As employers embrace hybrid work models, it’s crucial to address these mental health challenges head-on and create a supportive environment for employees.
Here are six actionable ways to support mental health in the hybrid workplace.
1. Foster Open Communication
One of the most critical aspects of maintaining good mental health in the hybrid workplace is fostering open communication. Working remotely can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, with employees disconnected from their teams and managers. This can exacerbate stress and anxiety, making it harder for employees to ask for help when they need it.
In a 2020 employee survey by Cigna, 61% of employees reported feeling “lonely at work,” a sentiment that’s only increased with hybrid and remote models . Therefore, it’s essential to foster a workplace culture that encourages open dialogue. Managers should check in with employees regularly—not just about their workload but also about how they’re feeling overall. Asking questions like, “How are you really doing?” or “Is there anything that would make your day easier?” opens the door for more meaningful conversations about well-being.
Organizations can also create dedicated mental health channels in their internal communication platforms like Slack or Teams, offering a space where employees can share their challenges and support one another. When communication is transparent, employees feel valued and understood, which can significantly improve their mental health.
2. Promote Flexibility
Flexibility is the number one reason employees prefer hybrid work. According to a 2023 global study from Owl Labs, 44% of participants said they’d give up 10% or more of their salary for flexible working hours. But flexibility isn’t just about where employees work; it’s about giving them control over how they structure their day.
When companies trust employees to manage their schedules, it can significantly reduce stress and improve mental well-being. For instance, some employees might prefer to start their day early and finish by mid-afternoon, while others may need breaks throughout the day to handle family responsibilities. By allowing employees to adapt their work schedules to their personal lives, companies support both productivity and mental health.
Encouraging employees to take mental health breaks or even mental health days is another way to promote flexibility. These should be treated as essential, not optional. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 3 in 5 employees reported negative impacts of work-related stress in the form of physical fatigue or emotional exhaustion . By normalizing mental health days, employers send a clear message: It’s okay to take time to recharge.
3. Provide Easy Access to Mental Health Resources
Supporting mental health in the hybrid workplace means making resources readily accessible. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is one such resource that provides employees with confidential counseling and mental health support. However, studies show that many employees don’t know their company offers an EAP or don’t understand the purpose of it. This indicates that businesses need to improve how they communicate the availability of these resources.
Mental health apps, virtual therapy services, and wellness webinars are becoming increasingly popular in hybrid work settings. Companies like Headspace for Work and Calm for Business are partnering with organizations to provide employees with mindfulness resources designed to reduce stress and promote mental well-being. Offering these tools to employees, along with clear communication about how to access them, ensures that mental health support is only a click away—whether the employee is in the office or at home.
Make sure to integrate mental health resources into the everyday fabric of your workplace. Mention them during company-wide meetings, add them to your company intranet, or feature them in weekly email newsletters. The easier it is for employees to find and access mental health support, the more likely they are to take advantage of it when needed.
4. Normalize Taking Breaks and Mental Health Days
It’s no secret that many employees struggle to unplug when working remotely. A 2021 survey by Buffer found that 27% of remote workers say they find it hard to unplug from work at the end of the day . Over time, this can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even depression.
One simple way to support mental health in the hybrid workplace is by normalizing breaks and mental health days. Encourage employees to step away from their desks during the day, take lunch breaks, or go for a quick walk. It’s crucial to remind your team that taking breaks isn’t just allowed—it’s necessary for long-term productivity and mental health.
Mental health days should be treated like any other sick day. Employees need time to recharge, and that includes addressing their mental well-being. In fact, companies like LinkedIn and Bumble have made headlines by instituting company-wide mental health days off for all employees. By making mental health a priority, these companies not only improve employee well-being but also strengthen loyalty and engagement.
5. Create Virtual Mental Health Initiatives
When you’re working in a hybrid environment, the importance of staying connected can’t be overstated. While in-office employees might enjoy the benefits of wellness programs or social events, remote workers may feel left out. To bridge this gap, create virtual mental health initiatives that all employees can participate in.
Consider hosting virtual mindfulness sessions, yoga classes, or guided meditations. These activities promote mental health in the hybrid workplace by encouraging employees to take time for self-care. Additionally, wellness challenges—such as step-count competitions or hydration challenges—can help employees prioritize their physical and mental health in a fun, community-oriented way.
Another option is to introduce “wellness check-ins” during team meetings. These could be short, casual conversations where employees share how they’re feeling or offer tips on how they’ve been managing stress. These initiatives help to break down the stigma around mental health while fostering a culture of support.
6. Train Managers to Recognize and Support Mental Health Challenges
Managers play a key role in fostering mental health in the hybrid workplace, but not all are equipped with the skills or knowledge to recognize when their team members are struggling. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 15% of working-age adults have a mental disorder at any given time. It’s essential that managers are trained to identify the signs of mental health challenges, such as burnout or anxiety, and know how to offer support.
Training should include how to have empathetic conversations about mental health, ways to recognize the early signs of mental health struggles (e.g., decreased productivity or engagement), and how to connect employees with available resources. Managers who are trained to support their teams can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and create an environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help when they need it.
When managers are equipped with the right tools, they can help create a supportive culture where mental health is prioritized.
Prioritizing Mental Health in a Hybrid World
Supporting mental health in the hybrid workplace is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a necessity. As more companies adopt hybrid work models, ensuring the mental well-being of employees should be at the forefront of organizational priorities. By fostering open communication, promoting flexibility, providing easy access to mental health resources, normalizing breaks and mental health days, creating virtual wellness initiatives, and training managers to recognize mental health challenges, you can help your employees thrive both in and out of the office.
Investing in your employees’ mental health isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s good for business. Studies show that workplaces that prioritize mental health see increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and higher employee engagement. So, whether your team is working from home, in the office, or a mix of both, make mental health a priority—and watch your employees, and your business, thrive.
