Remote workers feeling less healthy and disconnected – City Pantry launches new service to support working-from-home teams

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are now working from home, with many businesses still struggling to navigate the substantial shift in the way they operate.

Remote working can be a difficult adjustment for many companies, with 55% of UK workers reportedly having no experience working from home, and 35% of those are experiencing a drop in motivation.

More employers are now investing in measures to help their employees feel supported and united while working from home, including utilising conference call apps and promoting social interactions, as well as encouraging regular exercise and lunch breaks.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Institute of Employment Studies (IES) on the impact of working from home for a long period of time, 33% of workers are eating a less-healthy diet and 60% are exercising less. Coupled with loss of sleep due to worry (64%) and increased or irregular working hours (48%), it’s perhaps unsurprising that half of the 500 respondents (50%) reported feeling unhappy with their current work-life balance and a third (33%) reported feelings of isolation and loneliness.

To help improve morale, maintain company culture and promote healthy habits, City Pantry (part of the Just Eat Group) has joined together with a number of vendor partners to create food packages, which companies can order to be delivered contact-free to their employees’ doors.

Business owners are using this service to encourage their teams to share photos of their food boxes via internal company communications, share recipe ideas and even organise virtual Friday-night cookalongs. All these virtual initiatives help to increase a sense of community and boost mental health while working from home.

The ‘Pantry Packages’ service also gives businesses the opportunity to support the hospitality sector, with options including fresh vegetables, meal-prep boxes and sweet treats from providers like Dominique Ansel Bakery, Detox Kitchen, Spiers Salad and Sejuiced.

Ben Carter, Managing Director of City Pantry says “With the Coronavirus pandemic leading to all but essential workers having to work from home – it is perhaps unsurprising that employers and employees are in some cases struggling to adapt to the new working environment. We have created these Pantry Packages to ensure employees can still feel connected – and for employers to help keep in touch with their People at this difficult and challenging time. Our Pantry Packages have been designed to give teams something special at home to brighten their day, while working to retain positive company culture. benefits at home, such as office catering and sweet treats, during these challenging times.”

To find out more about the initiative and to work with the City Pantry team to select the most appropriate box for your workforce, please email [email protected] or visit: https://info.citypantry.com/pantry-packages