by virtualworks | Jul 14, 2025 | Business, business growth, Leadership, life work balance, Mastery, office management, remote meetings, Remote Office Management, ROWE, Time Management, Virtual Assistant, working from home, working remotely
In our ongoing series on the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), we’ve explored strategies for fostering productivity, trust, and accountability within organizations. As we continue to examine the benefits and challenges of ROWE, it’s essential to recognize the critical role that employee well-being and mental health play in this innovative work model. In this eleventh installment, we’ll discuss the importance of employee mental health, implementing wellness programs andsupport systems, and promoting work-life balance in a ROWE setting.
Recognizing the Importance of Employee Mental Health
A healthy work environment promotes mental well-being and ensures that employees feel supported and valued. In a ROWE, where employees have increased autonomy and responsibility, acknowledging mental health’s importance is crucial for success. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Stress management: Empowering employees with resources and tools to manage stress can help maintain a healthy work environment. This might include providing access to mindfulness apps, offering on-site yoga or meditation classes, or simply encouraging regular breaks. Organizations can also create quiet zones or relaxation spaces for employees to decompress during the workday.
- Emotional support: Create an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their concerns and emotions. This may involve regular check-ins with managers, establishing an open-door policy, or implementing anonymous feedback systems. Additionally, promoting an inclusive and supportive company culture can help employees feel more connected and valued.
- Recognizing signs of burnout: Educate managers and employees on the symptoms of burnout and provide guidance on how to prevent and address it. Encouraging vacation time, offering mental health days, or providing resources for seeking professional help can demonstrate your commitment to employee well-being. Incorporate mental health into employee onboarding and ongoing training to ensure everyone is aware of the available resources and support systems.
Implementing Wellness Programs and Support Systems
Wellness programs and support systems are essential for promoting mental health in a ROWE. These initiatives can help employees maintain balance and seek assistance when needed. Some potential programs include:
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Offer EAPs that provide confidential support and resources for mental health concerns, stress management, and personal issues. Additionally, consider partnering with mental health professionals or organizations to offer workshops or seminars on various topics related to well-being and mental health.
- On-site fitness facilities or wellness initiatives: Encourage physical activity and healthy habits by providing access to fitness facilities, organizing team sports events, or offering healthy snacks in the break room. Incentivize participation in wellness activities or establish team challenges to promote a culture of well-being and camaraderie.
- Mental health workshops and training: Conduct workshops and training sessions focused on mental health awareness, stress management techniques, and mindfulness practices. These initiatives help normalize conversations around mental health and equip employees with tools to manage their well-being. Consider offering virtual workshops or webinars for remote employees to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.
Promoting Work-Life Balance in a ROWE
A Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE) inherently supports work-life balance by emphasizing results over hours worked. However, organizations can further encourage a healthy work-life balance by implementing the following strategies:
- Flexible scheduling: Allow employees to work during their most productive hours, whether they’re early birds or night owls. This flexibility enables them to manage personal commitments and maintain a healthy balance. Additionally, offer flexible work arrangements such as job sharing, compressed workweeks, or flexible work hours to accommodate individual needs.
- Remote work options: Remote work opportunities can reduce stress related to commuting and allow employees to work from environments that best suit their needs. Encourage employees to create a designated workspace that separates work from personal life, and provide resources or guidelines for setting up an effective remote work environment.
- Encouraging breaks and time off: Remind employees to take regular breaks, use their vacation days, and disconnect from work during non-work hours. Establish a culture that values rest and recovery as essential components of productivity and well-being. Encourage managers to lead by example, taking time off and demonstrating a healthy balance between work and personal life.
In conclusion, supporting employee well-being and mental health is critical for a thriving Results-Only Work Environment. By recognizing the importance of mental health, implementing wellness programs and support systems, and promoting work-life balance, organizations can foster a culture that empowers employees to reach their full potential while maintaining their well-being.
by virtualworks | Sep 8, 2024 | Leadership, life work balance, Outsourcing, Productivity, remote meetings, Remote Office Management, ROWE, Virtual Assistant, working from home, working remotely
As someone who runs a remote support business for non-profits and associations, I’ve noticed some big changes in the workplace in the last couple of years. I wanted to share my thoughts on the future of work and how embracing ROWE (Results-Only Work Environment) can make a huge difference for organizations like yours.
Remote Work and Distributed Teams
One good thing that has come out of the pandemic is that it has forced us to consider that working remotely can be very productive for many people. Folks can work from anywhere and teams can collaborate across different locations and time zones. At my company, we’ve been operating this way since 2004 and we’re big fans of remote work because it gives us the freedom to work when and where we’re most productive. ROWE supports this idea by focusing on results, not hours spent in the (virtual) office.
Automation and Artificial Intelligence
AI and automation are changing the way we work, and that’s not a bad thing! Non-profits can use these tools to cut down on busywork and let their staff focus on their mission. With ROWE, employees and volunteers have more control over their workload and can better adapt to new technology.
Gig Economy and Flexible Work Arrangements
The gig economy is huge, and it’s perfect for non-profit organizations who want to maximize their impact. But it’s important to make sure gig workers are treated fairly and have the support they need. ROWE fits nicely with gig work because it’s all about delivering results, not clocking hours. This flexibility and mindset can lead to happier, more engaged employees and contractors.
Emphasis on Employee Well-being and Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is also a big deal these days, and it’s something we really value at my remote support agency. The ROWE framework encourages this balance by giving resources more control over their schedules. This leads to lower stress and higher job satisfaction.
In short, the future of work is all about adaptability, and ROWE can help organizations stay ahead of the curve. By embracing flexibility and trust, you can create a workplace that’s productive, innovative, and supportive of employee well-being.
by virtualworks | May 20, 2024 | Business, business growth, Customer relationships, Leadership, Mastery, Outsourcing, Productivity, Remote Office Management, Team Work, Virtual Assistant, working from home
I have a friend who worked as a Barista at a well-known coffee shop. She tells the stories of guests who would return their latte because “it just isn’t right”. After making thousands of lattes she understood that what is ‘right’ to the recipe isn’t always ‘right’ to the customer. She learned to ask probing questions such as “is it too sweet? Too milky? Too much coffee?” By requiring the guest to be more specific, she was able to fix the problem quickly. In short, she learned to speak the language of guests’ expectations.
Hiring a remote support professional can be a little like that, except you’re the guest whose latte isn’t quite ‘right’.
When you hire someone to do a job you have a number of expectations about how the job ought to be done. It can take time to learn how to talk about the tasks you need accomplished. It can be difficult to accurately define the quality, feel or essence of a job that needs doing. You might think it is simple, yet you understand all the reasons you do it THIS way, and perhaps even all the reasons you DON’T do it another way. Your ‘right’ isn’t the same as everyone else’s. Often this skill is learned through trial and error.
To start learning this skill you just have to begin. One options might be to choose a small one-off task that can be outsourced with limited risk to your organization. It could be a mailer that needs to be written, or a spreadsheet that needs cleaning up. Just a couple of hours’ worth of work. Find a resource who can do the project for you and see how it goes. If they do a good job, you have a great product and good return on your investment. If they don’t meet your expectations, ask yourself how you could have communicated better.
Then try it again.
In this way you learn to speak the language of your expectations and your business in such a way so your resource can grasp what you need and want and meet those expectations the first time!
Check out our Nine Guidelines to Outsourcing to help you find your remote support groove.
by virtualworks | Jan 29, 2024 | Leadership, Mastery, Productivity, Remote Office Management, Time Management, Travelling, Virtual Assistant, working remotely
When we talk about “working in the cloud,” it’s usually in reference to the digital realm—files stored online, accessible from servers around the world rather than our local hard drives. But let’s take a moment to reminisce about the original clouds—the fluffy, white ones that float above, turning ominous before a storm.
Last year, I had the unique opportunity to work in those original clouds, and no, it’s not a metaphor. My office was 39,000 feet above planet Earth. While this might sound like a nerve-wracking prospect to some, for seasoned business travellers, it’s become the norm.
Armed with a tablet and other mobile devices, daily tasks and much more can be seamlessly accomplished while jet-setting on business trips—or, in my case, returning from a holiday in the UK.
So, how does this airborne productivity unfold? The airline I flew with provided WiFi access via satellite for a nominal fee, enabling me to respond to emails and check my calendar. All the necessary documents were on my tablet, along with the essential apps. Once I completed my tasks, I uploaded the documents to the digital version of the cloud, making them accessible to my assistant.
In the dynamic landscape of technology, constant change and improvement pave the way for enhanced productivity. For me, staying abreast of current technology transforms idle time into valuable productivity. The idea of having the option to get ahead on my workweek during a 6.5-hour flight is empowering. Yes, the surroundings were a tad cramped, but it worked.
As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for leveraging travel time productively are boundless. Do you seize the opportunity to embrace technology while on the move, or do you prefer to use travel time as a moment to relax and unwind?
by virtualworks | Aug 13, 2023 | Business, business growth, Customer relationships, Leadership, Marketing, Mastery, office management, Outsourcing, Productivity, Team Work, Time Management, Virtual Assistant, working from home, working remotely
When you think of the most expensive admin assistant on the Planet, you might think of someone like Tony Stark’s assistant who puts up with all his quirks, but who is handsomely paid for her hardship. Or a billionaire’s assistant who is available 24/7 and at a moment’s notice may be called upon to drop everything and jump on a plane to Tokyo to attend meetings with their boss. You might think that…… and you would be wrong.
YOU.. yes.. you… are the most expensive admin assistant on the planet.
How can this be true? It’s because studies show that administrative tasks take up as much as 25% of an organization’s time.
So, what does this mean? Before we even talk about the dollar cost of this truth let’s talk about time. As a business owner, working a very conservative 60 hours a week, this equates to 15 hours per week. Which may not seem like that much, but how about when we look at the annual cost of this truth?
720 HOURS per year the average business owner spends on administrative tasks, that’s THREE MONTHS! Take that 720 hours and multiply by your client charge out rate. Not only is that a lot of money for doing back-office work that you shouldn’t be doing in the first place, it’s also money you haven’t billed because you’ve been doing “the paperwork”. If you outsourced these tasks alone at a much lower rate (hopefully) than you bill your clients, just think what you could do with an extra three month’s worth of time and a whole lot of extra money every year!!!
- How could your organization grow?
- What activities could you do with your family?
- How could you invest in your network and members?
- How could you serve your community?
If you have ever thought, “if only I had more time…” (you know that’s just an excuse, right?!?) and yet repeatedly find yourself burning the midnight oil filing invoices, inputting information into a database, updating your social media (or wishing you had time for social media)…
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day so why not change things up and use those hours to full advantage?
by virtualworks | Oct 23, 2022 | Business, business growth, Leadership, Marketing, Mastery, office management, Productivity, Remote Office Management, Time Management, Virtual Assistant, working from home, working remotely
Have you ever come out of a meeting, or the end of day and caught yourself in a mirror and realized that you have a piece of schmutz in your teeth, or your cow-lick is asserting its personality again? We have all had that moment when we think “WHY DIDN’T SOMEONE TELL ME?”
As small business owners we can spend so much time in the tasks that we forget what our goals are. If only gauging how well we are running our business is as simple as looking in the mirror! When it comes to taking your business to the next level, a level of self-awareness is required to assess the needs of your business and how your management style can be maximized for growth.
Take a look at your business and your strengths and values (and be honest about it!). Determine what makes sense for you to do and what is reasonable for someone else to take care of.
To identify exactly what you need, do the following for one work-week:
- As you go through each workday, write down the daily tasks that you dislike doing (or, put another way, make a list of the things you do last because you keep putting them off)
- Write down all the projects you’ve “had on the back burner”; those projects and tasks that never seem to get done week after week, month after month.
- Write down all the things you spend too much time doing (why are you really in the office all the time?).
- Write down all the things you wish you had more time to do.
- Write down all the tasks you must do as a business owner.
Ask people you know to work through this with you as they may provide a different perspective. There might be metaphorical spinach in your teeth that they are begging for the chance to tell you about!
Don’t think about how much it will cost or how long to get these resources in place. Just think about you for now and ask yourself what you need to do in order to move your business forward.
Need help? Click here to get my free e-book to help you gain clarity.
In our ongoing series on the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), we’ve explored strategies for fostering productivity, trust, and accountability within organizations. As we continue to examine the benefits and challenges of ROWE, it’s essential to recognize the critical role that employee well-being and mental health play in this innovative work model. In this eleventh installment, we’ll discuss the importance of employee mental health, implementing wellness programs andsupport systems, and promoting work-life balance in a ROWE setting.
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