Managing your wellbeing while on furlough

Under the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, more than nine million people across the UK are expected to be placed on temporary leave or ‘furloughed’ due to coronavirus.

Being furloughed can present a number of challenges to your wellbeing as your normal routine has been disrupted, and the social connections you are used to having at work are no longer there, yet you can’t go out and meet with friends and family like you normally would. We know that on top of the pandemic, the changes and the uncertainty which come with being furloughed are creating additional stress and anxiety for many people.

Follow our top tips to help you look after your wellbeing during this time:

Establish a routine
Simple things like trying to get up at a regular time, planning regular meals and setting aside some time to unwind and relax in the evening can help you feel more settled throughout the day.

Keep in touch with colleagues
With 60% of people saying that loneliness is currently making their mental health worse, keeping in touch with your colleagues will help you feel more connected and less isolated. You may not be able to use your work email address, but things like WhatsApp and FaceTime can be great alternatives to help you stay connected.

Seek professional support
If you find yourself struggling and your company has an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), remember that this will remain available to support you while you are furloughed. If your employer does not offer an EAP service, contact the Mind Infoline who can direct you to local support services.

Managers - supporting your staff
There are several ways you, as a manager, can support your staff during this time to help them stay connected to the organisation.
• regular one-to-one wellbeing check-ins, ideally via video calls
• virtual team catch-ups
• keeping you informed of any company developments or discuss any work-related concerns

For further information, please see our general advice on coronavirus and your wellbeing or access the Mental Health at Work toolkit.

Read our full article on tips on managing your wellbeing while on furlough