Why Are We Addressing This Topic?
At Devcity, we have been working in a hybrid setup for a long time. We have our own offices available, where anyone can come at any time. At the same time, we have colleagues from abroad, from different regions, as well as colleagues with families who mostly work from home because it suits them better. Thanks to this combination, we have a solid understanding of how differently remote work can affect mental well-being, and it also allows us to collaborate with highly skilled professionals who live abroad.
When someone works from home, they do not have the natural change of environment that automatically separates work and personal time in an office setting. At home, these boundaries need to be created and sometimes more actively protected. However, remote work does not affect everyone in the same way. Some colleagues appreciate greater autonomy and a quieter environment, while others need clearer structure and regular contact with the team.
Operating in a Remote Setup
Within teams, we often see that people who work primarily from home deal with two main areas. The first is daily structure. When common office signals disappear, such as breaks or moving between meetings, it becomes easier for work to spill over into personal time, or conversely, harder to start the working part of the day. Much more depends on personal routines and how the working environment is organized.
The second area is social contact. In an office, it happens spontaneously, whereas in a remote environment it requires planning. We have found that even short, regular interactions significantly influence motivation and the sense of connection to the team. That is why we create opportunities for people to meet outside of formal contexts. When possible, we use our offices for in-person gatherings, and in remote settings we replace everyday micro-interactions with short online meetings.
Practical Habits for a Healthier Remote Setup
From our experience, mental well-being in a remote environment is most influenced by simple, sustainable habits. A clearly defined start and end of the working day works well because it helps separate work from other parts of life. It is equally important to have a dedicated workspace at home, even if it is just a small corner of a room, and to manage time in a way that gives the day structure and includes breaks. Within teams, we also emphasize open communication about availability and expectations, as this reduces tension and prevents situations where someone feels they must always be online.
Among colleagues who are able to maintain these habits, we see more stable performance, a calmer work pace, and greater overall satisfaction.
How We Approach This Topic
In a remote environment, certain types of strain are not immediately visible. That is why we consider it important that everyone has the opportunity to speak about what they need and has access to support before the situation develops into a long-term issue. Psychological support is a standard part of how we care for our employees.
Open communication about mental health directly affects how people feel within the company, how they work, and how they perceive their team. Remote work brings flexibility and efficiency, but also specific demands that are not always visible. That is why it is important to have clear processes and accessible resources within the company to identify and address issues early.
