One user wrote, “kinda interesting zoom is forcing all their employees back into the office where they’ll probably use Zoom less just as they change their terms to allow AI training.”…reports Asian Lite News
Video conferencing platform Zoom has announced the end of work-from-home (WFH) and asked all of its employees to return to the office for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Insider, the company has asked employees who live within 50 miles of any Zoom office to report to work at least two days a week, based on a hybrid model.
“We believe that a structured hybrid approach — meaning employees that live near an office need to be onsite two days a week to interact with their teams — is most effective for Zoom,” a spokesperson was quoted as saying.
“As a company, we are in a better position to use our own technologies, continue to innovate, and support our global customers,” it added. Moreover, Zoom’s decision to call employees back to work sparked several responses on X (formerly Twitter), with some wondering if Zoom even had an office building and others wondering if this was the end of work from home.
“Why does zoom have an office building?! I thought they worked from home,” a user wrote on X. “What an irony? The very platform that became our lifeline during remote work, Zoom, now wants its employees back in the office. Is the remote work era over, or is this move to protect commercial real estate interests?,” another user said.
One user wrote, “kinda interesting zoom is forcing all their employees back into the office where they’ll probably use Zoom less just as they change their terms to allow AI training.”
According to the company’s website, Zoom has offices in Denver and California in the US. It emerged as one of the most widely used services for employees to communicate and share ideas at the peak of the pandemic.
Additionally, 25 per cent of the firms said they were interested in learning more about the trends in the engagement scores over a certain time frame…reports Asian Lite News
Due to shifting demands on both employees and employers since the start of the pandemic, the significance of employee engagement has increased dramatically. Organisations have understood they must develop employee engagement tools and procedures in accordance with this growth because the hybrid work paradigm has become standard across many large firms.
Organisations in a variety of industries are aware of the benefits that employee engagement can provide, including access to better talent and employee retention. Although they may have various ends in mind, they all end up there.
Work Engagement & Hybrid Workplace Report 2022 by Leena AI, an innovative technology solution revolutionising the employee experience, was just published. The bi-annual research provides insight into employee engagement at more than 250 businesses throughout the world, including those in India and the US.
Annual surveys: still the norm!
Although yearly surveys of employee engagement have long been the norm for firms, half of the respondents to the report predicted a rise in the frequency of such surveys. Only 8 percent of firms said they conducted employee engagement surveys on a monthly basis, whereas 25 percent said they did so.
In the workplace, where shorter and more regular pulse surveys have become the norm, there is an increasing need for an active listening approach in India and the rest of the world. Continuous listening has been shown to be crucial in a mixed work style where employees are frequently scattered.
Technology: a distant dream
The necessity for advanced technologies and technology techniques in the workplace has also been influenced by the rise in the frequency of employee engagement surveys. According to the data, more over 50 percent of respondents acknowledged using straightforward questionnaires and feedback forms to determine employee engagement, while 25 percent said they only used manual techniques.
The necessity for technological tools to identify employees’ demands and requirements, such as potential areas for improvement in their organisations, steps that their workplace should do to promote inclusion and mental well-being, etc. was also highlighted by a sizeable 30 per cent of organisations.
Additionally, 25 per cent of the firms said they were interested in learning more about the trends in the engagement scores over a certain time frame. Rewards and recognition = Employee engagement
In the hybrid workplace, rewards and recognition are still one of the most well-liked and effective tactics. Nearly 50 per cent of the respondents, according to the research, acknowledged relying on this strategy to engage their individual staff.
HR: owner of employee engagement initiatives
Even though it is crucial for influencing an organisation’s culture, the HR department cannot be considered solely responsible for employee satisfaction. The majority of firms currently silo their employee engagement activities, especially now that remote working is the norm. Employee productivity has been found to rise in businesses when CXOs set the groundwork for establishing a more favourable work environment. Employee engagement to attract talent
Organisations can profit by reviewing their employee engagement rules, developing a more inclusive work environment, forecasting attrition, and other practises with India on the verge of its Great Resignation period.
Employee engagement is used by 42 percent of businesses in the IT and software sectors to enhance the employee experience in a hybrid work style.
Adit Jain, Co-Founder and CEO, Leena AI, commented, “While the pandemic brought about some uncertainties, it also facilitated in shifting our focus to the core of every organization i.e. its employees. It is interesting to observe whether organizations manage to engage their employees regularly and actively. For a while now, employee engagement has been considered a secondary activity conducted on a need-only basis. However, in the post-pandemic world, employee engagement’s importance has skyrocketed with the changing needs of both employers and employees.
“Today, organisations must implement an effective HR strategy to build a positive work environment and retain valuable talent. This report has been developed to identify patterns that employee engagement initiatives face around the world, whether the right tools are being implemented, whether the final impact is successful, and so on. We endeavor to support organiSations, thought leaders, and decision-makers to make informed decisions towards a successful employee engagement strategy.”
This, in a true sense, is mommy burnout. Mommy burnout does not happen overnight. It’s gradual, spread across several days and nights. In the most invisible way, it takes over the new mother, leaving her praying for a way out for some self-comfort…reports DR. VANSHIKA GUPTA ADUKIA
Feeding, burping, diaper changes, odd hourly night cries, spit-ups, followed by clean-ups, pumping sessions, bottle washing-the list of chores is endless with a baby, but the hours in a day and helping hand are always limited.
Every new mother goes through phases where she’s awake in the middle of the night, fatigued beyond her own understanding with a baby that refuses to sleep beyond 45 minutes or without being strapped to her chest. She silently cries to herself with an aching body, an uneasy mind, and feelings of overwhelm as physical exhaustion refuses to leave her while emotional overburden seems to have no outlet.
This, in a true sense, is mommy burnout. Mommy burnout does not happen overnight. It’s gradual, spread across several days and nights. In the most invisible way, it takes over the new mother, leaving her praying for a way out for some self-comfort.
While symptoms of mommy burnout could be endless, some common ones are:
*Loss or increase in appetite
*A feeling of helplessness and loneliness
*Excessive anger or short temper
*Constant screaming or crying
*Unexplained irritability or anxiety, trouble controlling thoughts that seem to be racing
*Exhaustion, low energy, and lack of interest in the surroundings
*Inability to sleep
*Feeling resentful towards life (including baby)
Steps to tackle Mommy burnout:
Setting boundaries is key to reversing mommy burnout. It is also essential to take help from those around you and understand that ‘doing it all’ does not make you a better mother.
*Take help with feeding the baby. Use the bottle if you must to allow the mother some rest on days where cluster feeding is a pattern.
*Dedicate chores of the house to other family members in the house. Hire help if it is feasible.
*Selfcare is a method to tank you up from depleted energy levels. Take that walk, go for that manicure, meet that friend for coffee, make that phone call.
*Set realistic parenting and self-expectations. Do what works for you and your baby. Not what your parent or sister or neighbour did with their baby.
*Limit guests and visitors in the house. Have clear demarcation on days when people visit to see the baby & limit setting up the house or organising snacks for them to a bare minimum.
*Allow the house to be messy, the older child that screen time, your meals to be simpler, your clothes to be simple, and expectations of those around you to be shattered if they must be since you do not owe an explanation to anyone in this phase with a baby.
More than two-thirds of the more than 500 individuals who took part in a study conducted by Godrej Interio’s Workspace and Ergonomic Cell said they spent close to nine hours sitting…reports Asian Lite News
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced most of us to work from home for a large part of the last two years. While there have been pros to it, it has also brought along its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest has been the lack of adequate office infrastructure in our homes.
Our homes were naturally not kitted out to double up as offices. While some of us have been able to invest in ergonomic office furniture, many of us have simply lacked the space to create a home office set-up. As a result, we worked sitting on floors, from our couches or even sprawled out on our beds.
This, combined with the sedentary lifestyles the pandemic forced upon us, has taken a toll on our health. Just as we became well-versed with the ins and outs of epidemiology, so too did awareness about musculoskeletal diseases (MSD), incorrect postures, backaches and stiff necks increase.
In fact, conversations about healthy ergonomics have very much entered the post-Covid-19 medical mainstream. Just as offices are taking special care to sanitise workplaces and ensure social distancing as they prepare to reopen, so too must they invest in creating an active, ergonomic workspace.
More than two-thirds of the more than 500 individuals who took part in a study conducted by Godrej Interio’s Workspace and Ergonomic Cell said they spent close to nine hours sitting.
Prolonged sitting can lead to a whole host of health issues — from lower back pain and neck and shoulder complaints to joint compression, soft tissue injuries, muscular imbalances and reduced blood circulation.
In addition to personal health, long hours spent sitting also take a toll on organisational health as it can lead to lowered productivity. The Godrej Interio study, for instance, found that nearly a third of the respondents surveyed took leaves of between 1-3 days a year due to pain and body stiffness.
This is because the impact of MSDs can be widespread, acting as triggers for reduced sleep, poor quality of life and low self-esteem which compound to lead to reduced concentration and a lack of satisfaction at work.
Yes, offices have traditionally always been ‘sitting’ spaces. But as was the case on many fronts in the pandemic, its enforced pause has given us the opportunity to introspect and identify what we can do better and how.
And offices can certainly do ergonomics better. Alternating postures, alternating between sitting and standing, is the best solution in addition to mobility exercise to battle MSDs. But most offices aren’t equipped to allow employees to switch between sitting and standing.
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed in the Godrej Interio study who regularly changed postures at work reported being free of MSDs compared to only 38 per cent who spent their working hours sitting.
But, only 10 per cent of companies in India are equipped with sit-stand desks.
At the same time, 57 per cent of the employees the study surveyed said they used storage cabinets as makeshift desks at which they could stand and work.
Reena Valecha, Principal Ergonomist — Workplace and Ergonomics Research Cell, Godrej Interio, said, “As much as MSDs and other discomforts have a serious impact on sedentary workers, they are largely ignored and not given proper thought. To promote the awareness and educate sedentary workers about alternate posturing at work, employers can install ergonomically well-engineered innovations like; Move-up desks by Godrej Interior for their employees’ well-being. This desk recognises the uniqueness of each person and facilitates fluid transitions between working positions through the use of its very own app. The app indicates the duration of time the user spends sitting or standing and triggers action accordingly while enabling the motion of the desk.”
Clearly, whether they are aware of the health benefits or not, employees prefer to switch between postures. Giving them an all-purpose desk, or sit-stand desks, which they can stand or sit at is an easy and effective solution for companies to implement.
Sit-stand desks are those whose height can be adjusted manually or electronically. Since they can be used for sitting or standing, they occupy the same space as any conventional desk and don’t need special areas designated for standing-only workstations. These desks have been proven to improve productivity, boost concentration and enhance creativity. As a result, employees are also likely to be happier at their work.
Since the pandemic, offices have begun to make significant efforts to look after the well-being of their employees. This includes measures to safeguard their mental health and obviously Covid-19 safety measures. What better time than now, then, to also take steps to ensure employees’ ergonomic well-being? It’s a change that’s long overdue.
When you work from home, you have access to snacks and beverages at all hours of the day. Drowsiness after lunch can be overcome with a steaming cup of coffee…reports Asian Lite News
Just when we thought things were going back to normal, the third wave swept the country, ushering in a new era of work-from-home workers who must juggle family and work. Because we don’t know how long this will last, it’s great to think of methods to improve your work-from-home situation! Here are five home basics to help you make the most of your work-from-home experience.
Dishwasher
If the eat-sleep-work-repeat cycle continues, at the end of the day, one will be confronted with the full day’s dishes in the kitchen sink. Work may consume a significant portion of your day, and getting out of bed during the winter months might be difficult. At the end of the day, rather than doing the dishes, a dishwasher may efficiently handle all problems. It’s an easy-to-use, hassle-free, noise-free, and time-saving machine that deep cleans even the hardest stains with minimal water usage. This is an investment that will allow you to relax after a long day at work.
On the market, you may find some fantastic offers on Bosch’s Serie|4 and Serie|6 dishwashers.
Smart Assistant
Everyday multitasking might be difficult, but your life can be made easier with your own virtual smart assistant. You can browse the internet for anything at any moment with hands-free, voice-controlled interaction. With the smart assistant at your disposal, you can order groceries, get your astounding fact of the day, or listen to music during your downtime at work. With the best smart assistants on the market, Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, you can also set task reminders and more. On any of the online retailers, you may get your hands on the most up-to-date technology. Coffee Maker
When you work from home, you have access to snacks and beverages at all hours of the day. Drowsiness after lunch can be overcome with a steaming cup of coffee. Having a coffee maker can help you be more productive and make your life easier. These gadgets don’t take up a lot of room and perform according to your preferences. You can get refills and put them in your coffee tumbler in minutes, so you can enjoy the beverage throughout your e-meeting. You may choose from a large range of coffee makers at the market, depending on your demands and convenience. For starters, look at the Siemens iQ700 Built-In Fully Automatic Coffee Machine.
Ergonomic Work Set Up
Working long hours in front of a computer or laptop can be exhausting. The use of an ergonomic workstation promotes excellent posture and increases productivity throughout the day. Whether you like to work seated in an ergonomic swivel chair or standing with an adjustable table, maintaining an ergonomic posture is essential for safety and health. It’s time to change your office and ensure you’re de-stressing your body with healthier posture. You may improve your health and well-being by investing in a smart table from Flowlyf’s online store or visiting your local furniture store to browse the ergonomic furniture selection.
Home gym essentials- Exercise Bike
When working from home, it’s critical to maintain your physical health. With little to no physical exercise available these days, you might choose for at-home fitness to stay in shape. For many working professionals, an exercise bike is a must-have piece of equipment. It is a cost-effective purchase that will benefit you and your entire family. The exercise bike is available in a variety of pricing ranges and designs, and it may also fit into smaller places. You may immediately start your workout routine by getting your ideal exercise bike from retailers such as Decathlon, Amazon, and Flipkart.
Shillong is the perfect destination for professionals who want to discover and unravel the north-eastern belt of the country…reports Asian Lite News.
Trip mode is in a a slow phase, but people are trying to recover from the dull stage of ‘quarantine life’ The phenomenon of remote working is growing at a rapid pace as the pandemic fuels the work-from-anywhere option. The convenience and ease to blend work with vacation are much easier now than ever before, making workations a popular concept among working professionals in India. EaseMyTrip.com compiles a list of 5 stunning destinations which provide the best remote working experience in the country:
Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh:
When the hills are calling, you must go! If you’re looking to spend some time relaxing in the arms of nature, Jibhi in Himachal Pradesh would be an ideal choice. A hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh, Jibhi is breathtaking and offers people a serene view of lush hills in the Himalayas in the midst of work chaos. This offbeat location provides visitors with an opportunity to stay in a warm cottage surrounded by freshwater, making it an ideal place to relax and soak in peace. Jibhi allows visitors to enjoy the fresh air and listen to the sweet chirpings of the birds in the lap of nature, which could be a good distraction from work! There are multiple stay options that are not just stunning but budget-friendly as well.
Shillong, Meghalaya:
Shillong is the perfect destination for professionals who want to discover and unravel the north-eastern belt of the country. With its enjoyable weather and tranquillity, this quaint hill station is nicknamed Scotland of the East due to its striking similarity to the country. Its pristine landscape and an abode of clouds make the hill station the perfect destination to spend your days in isolation. A large number of stay options in Shillong are offering customisable workstation packages for professionals who want to work from a serene environment. Since the past few years, there has been a growth in airline routes to the region resulting in swifter travelling options. One can check travel options from EaseMyTrip before deciding itinerary in this picturesque hill station. Varkala, Kerala:
If a beach backdrop with waves crashing across the shore is what you need to work in peace, then Varkala is the right destination. Known as the Pearl of the Arabian Sea, Varkala is a hidden tourist gem in the state renowned for its vibrant beach life and water sport activities. Varkala is famed for its long stretches of sparkling beaches.
People can enjoy a dip in the clear waters of the Arabian Sea and end the night at a beach shack to unwind. The pristine beaches also provide the visitor with an opportunity to try out exciting water activities such as paragliding, parasailing, and jet skiing. The clear ocean at Varkala beach is also one of the best in the country to learn surfing. The city also has a number of hills, lakes, forts, lighthouses, natural fisheries, and springs which add to the charm of this destination.
Mussoorie, Uttrakhand:
The Queen of hill stations, Mussoorie was declared a free WiFi town in 2015, making it one of the most preferred remote working destinations in the country. The city boasts a minimum internet speed of 50Mbps, which can even go up to 100 Mbps. The quaint hill station enables people to work while enjoying a mesmerizing view of the Himalayan range and a vibrant bar of colours in the sky. The comforting cool weather throughout the year makes it a preferred destination for remote work. Not to mention the warm and spicy street food that’s hard to resist after a long day of work. The tranquillity of the hill station also provides the best hiking experience to enthralling viewpoints. Uttarakhand tourism has taken a step ahead and is readily providing necessary facilities required for people that visit the state for remote working.
Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu:
A delight for wildlife lovers, Masinagudi is surrounded by the solace of nature. Wildlife homestays are a preferred option in this destination and most of these homestays provide fast internet options. The destination is a rich forest reserve and is highly recommended for people who want to connect with nature and wildlife. The experience of cohabitating with wildlife will definitely serve as a great therapy for your body and mind. The deciduous forest and with a soothing tropical view are home to Indian leopards, Bengal tigers and elephants. So don’t get trembled if an elephant enters your zoom meeting screen. Travellers who prefer to experience a safari after a long day of work or the weekend can pick a stay option close to the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary.
With most companies set to continue work from home for the foreseeable future, remote working is set to pick up and evolve further in the coming months. A significant advantage is that it provides an opportunity for travellers to completely explore a city or destination at their own pace instead of packing everything into a week-long itinerary while going for a vacation. A little break from the routine is what you need to rejuvenate and perform better at work.
One has to also look in the mirror before being on the camera. Comb your hair so that you do not look you’re right out of bed…writes Puja Gupta.
WFH has become a routine-like lifestyle. With the second wave of coronavirus, work from home has made a comeback! Here are a few tips by Shivam Soni, CEO, and Founder, Beyoung Folks Private Limited to help you get ready for all your virtual meetings and conference calls.
Pick Your Comfort Zone
The first and foremost benefit people enjoy is that they can pick their comfort level without the pencil skirts or high heels. The pleasure of shorts and shirts together with flip flops while you are “working from home” is unbeatable. Men have been teaming their boxers with shirts, which is a delightful twist to work wear.
Balance Home And Work
One has to assure your work decorum stays in place when WFH. So, never forget be at the top of your game even at home. Well it doesn’t mean you need a tie, but you can simply be ready for a virtual meeting with crisply ironed shirts. Wear your professionalism.
Do Not Forget It’s Work
One has to also look in the mirror before being on the camera. Comb your hair so that you do not look you’re right out of bed. Women should continue to wear their makeup as sometimes your face in the video speaks louder than your words.
A Pattern Which Is Noticeable
Wear some patterns like stripes and checks. Even colours do the trick. For instance, try your hands on bold coloured styles like mustard yellow, black, red or blue. All these colours make for a memorable look.
If you haven’t bothered thus far it’s time to maybe shop online on a number of retailers who are delivering. Also pick accessories to make an impact.
Replace screen time while you take your in-between breaks with some quick stretches. They are beneficial for both the mind and the body…Siddhi Jain.
Duties are non-excludable in our daily life. One of the most common changes post-pandemic is the global adoption of the ‘work-from-home (WFH) culture. As professionals set up their indoor workstations, their overall physical activity has reduced.
The shutdown of public spaces like gyms, beaches and parks, coupled with restrictions on other outdoor activities such as walking, jogging or cycling, has further added to the problem, says Dhara Tanna, Senior Vice President of Fitternity. Advocating for inclusion of varying forms of exercise in one’s daily routine, Tanna believes individuals can achieve their fitness goals right from the safety of their homes.
Here are some workouts that she suggests you can easily include in your WFH regime to seamlessly achieve the balance between work and well-being.
Before starting your work day
It is essential to start your day with a calm and relaxed approach. Engaging in some breathing exercises like pranayama or anulom vilom will help you stay focused and stress-free. Further, practicing these will ensure lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and risks of depression. These exercises are also known to better the symptoms of diabetes and effectively lower chronic pain. They help in keeping the body adequately oxygenated, which is very necessary during the present times.
Walk and talk
With most office meetings turning into conference calls, you end up staying seated for longer time periods. You can start taking your calls while walking around your workspace to stay active. Apart from improving your blood circulation, it will also help you benefit from the much-needed break from screen time. Additionally, walking induces the release of healthy endorphins or happy hormones in the body as well as helps in loosening muscles. You can even increase your steps by going to the kitchen for water; instead of sitting with a bottle. You can also keep yourselves motivated by having a healthy competition with a friend or family member on who achieves the most steps.
Well-being breaks
Replace screen time while you take your in-between breaks with some quick stretches. They are beneficial for both the mind and the body. It will provide muscles and joints with the required movement while simultaneously breaking the monotony of sitting in one position for far too long. It even reduces soreness and stiffness. Some of these exercises like neck rolls, side stretch, back and upper back stretch, seated hip stretch, spinal twist are a few stretches that can be performed right at your desk. Just like our body, our eyes also need some rest.
Eyes need rest too
Eyes have muscles which also require proper exercising in order to stay strong and healthy. One such easy exercise to reduce eye strain while working from home is the 20-20-20 rule exercise. One should practice to look away from the screen after every 20 minutes and focus on any object that is 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will surely work as a strain relief to your eyes. Post-work workout
To stay fit, people need to include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week; or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly. You can pick from a wide range of workout regimes that can be easily done at home. Some of these workouts include Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Functional Training, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) among others. To stay on track and enjoy the best results, you can even join online classes. Most such digital platforms even offer the option of one-on-one training with instructors.
With fitness being the top priority of many, these are just a few things that one can include in their daily lives. Professionals can make adjustments in this plan depending on their specific work routines, says the Fitternity expert.
However, to regularly engage in some form of physical activity is something you can’t afford to compromise. Consistency is the primary ingredient in the recipe for a healthy life. Exercise not only improves a person’s physical health but also works wonders for their mental well-being.
