How Can Companies Better Support Senior Employees Working From Home?

The COVID-19 pandemic has really shaken things up for businesses, and many have had to adapt quickly to remote work setups. Although working from home has been a convenient option for some employees, it’s presented new obstacles for senior workers who are nearing the end of their careers. These valuable team members might need more support in order to keep contributing effectively while also taking care of themselves.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some ways that companies can step up and help out our older colleagues as they navigate the world of remote work.

  1. Flexible Work Schedules

One solution is offering flexible schedules that allow seniors to juggle responsibilities like caregiving or managing health issues alongside their job duties. By giving them room to adjust when they start and finish work or even by condensing down their hours over fewer days each week, companies can make sure these seasoned pros get more time with loved ones while still making meaningful contributions on the job. 

Plus, being open about different scheduling options could be key in encouraging seniors close to retiring not to bail quite yet!

  1. Virtual Training and Development Opportunities

Another avenue through which firms could offer support is by providing virtual training opportunities like webinars, online courses, and virtual conferences. Keeping up with new industry trends helps keep seniors engaged in the marketplace while staying motivated throughout their careers with your organization.

  1. Supportive Technology

While younger colleagues might be comfortable using technology without assistance, it’s not always true for seniors who did not grow up around computers and related tools most commonly used today. 

However, this doesn’t mean they should face any disadvantage because of their lack of exposure; therefore, companies must provide adequate support when adopting new technologies such as video conferencing software or collaborative tools along with necessary equipment including laptops/headsets, if needed.

  1. Mental Health and Wellness Support

Senior workers operating remotely–just like anyone else–would benefit tremendously from access to mental health resources (like counseling) or wellness programs provided by companies. Considering how isolating remote work can be, it’s important to support senior employees’ mental health and well-being.

  1. Encourage Connection and Collaboration

Remote work can be extremely isolating for anyone but arguably even more so for seniors. Companies must endeavor to create virtual team-building activities or social events like coffee breaks/happy hours that will allow the remote workforce to connect with each other organically. Maintaining a sense of community is essential when working remotely from home.

  1. Support for Retirement Communities

Companies should also provide support and resources (both networking events and information on community resources) dedicated explicitly towards senior team members who may live in retirement communities. Ensuring these workers feel connected within their community while managing caregiving responsibilities at home makes all the difference between quality life-work balance or not.

Conclusion

Supporting senior employees working from home requires a combination of flexible policies, technology support, mental health and wellness resources, and virtual training and development opportunities. By prioritizing the needs of senior employees, companies can help their employees continue to contribute to their company’s success while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.