{"id":68060,"date":"2023-10-10T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-05-14T17:23:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T16:23:57","slug":"8-ways-microsoft-365-solutions-can-empower-employees-to-prioritise-well-being","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/cross-industry\/2023\/10\/10\/8-ways-microsoft-365-solutions-can-empower-employees-to-prioritise-well-being\/","title":{"rendered":"8 ways Microsoft 365 solutions can empower employees to prioritise well-being"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Following the pandemic, many UK organisations moved to a hybrid workplace model, with employees working remotely for part of the week. Surveys also reported a change in attitudes<\/em> to work, with more employees seeking to rethink their work-life balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data from our 2022 Work Trend Index Annual Report<\/a> confirm the shift. We found that 53 percent of employees were more likely to prioritise health and well-being over work than before the pandemic. In addition, nearly half of respondents (47 percent) were more likely to put family and personal life over work than they were pre-pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"53%<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Figure 1.<\/em> Employee work attitudes post- vs. pre-pandemic. (Source: Microsoft, Work Trend Annual Report<\/a>, 2022.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Microsoft, we believe technology can be a powerful ally in the journey towards better employee well-being. As such we wanted to take the opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues and promote good practice both in and beyond the workplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you reclaim the right balance we\u2019ve pulled together eight practical Microsoft 365-based tips to help employees and managers reshape today\u2019s fast-paced work experience in the name of better mental health.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Nurture community and connection at work<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that, in a hybrid world, it\u2019s even more important to forge meaningful networks and relationships at work. Employees who have thriving relationships with team members report better well-being than those without<\/a> (76% vs. 57%). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you reconnect and find belonging at work, Microsoft Viva Engage<\/a> \u2013 an add-on in Outlook \u2013 enables you to share work and experience with colleagues. Join digital communities and conversations, find answers to questions, and inspire others with your stories. You can also connect via the announcements, to-dos and check-ins on your personalised Viva Connections<\/a> dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Book focus time each week<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If meetings are dominating your days or weeks, it can be stressful to keep on top of incoming emails, messages and resulting actions. It\u2019s also hard to focus on challenging work when you only have small chunks of time between meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blocking out time every day or week to focus without interruption can help. The Wellbeing tab in Microsoft Viva insights<\/a> contains a section called \u201cTake action to improve your wellbeing\u201d, in which you can create a daily focus plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you stay in control and also step away from work, other available well-being features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n