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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Vibhash Mishra

Corona Virus (COVID-19) Being Responsible

The world is in a state of panic with fear of Corona and perhaps rightly so. Official, semi-official and unofficial guidances are pouring in from all possible sources. Social media has been promoting the use of masks only for sufferers of Corona infection and those who are having symptoms of cough and fever. Some experts have gone to the extent of suggesting that the use of mask for members of the general public may even be harmful. It may promote a sense of complacency among people, a false sense of safety leading to negligence of other precautions. Masks may be so ill-fitting that the user has to touch it frequently to adjust it, which may lead to transmission of infection. The virus is supposed to be transmitted by droplets coughed out by the sufferers. The purpose of the mask used by these people is to stop passing on the droplets to others. While this notion seems to make sense, it may not be entirely true and the use of masks by people at large may still have some protective value. There may be people who are infected and not aware of it. Avoiding relatively close contact with such people at public places may not be easy in populous countries which are not locked down completely yet. Use of mask in that situation may provide some protection at least. After all the infected droplets need to be inhaled to cause further infection and a mask over the mouth and nostrils will prevent the inhalation to some extent. It seems, therefore, that discouraging people from using masks may be an irresponsible act. What should be emphasized instead is that using a mask is not the end of your responsibility towards protecting yourself and others. Other precautions are equally important. Following are a few examples:
1. If you have cough and/or fever, confine yourself indoors and avoid coming in contact with people, specially children, elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
2. Wash your hands well with soap and water frequently and certainly after touching anyone or anything.
3. Avoid touching your face and eyes unnecessarily.
4. Do not cough in the open or on your hands. Use a tissue or your sleeve instead. Bin the tissue immediately.
5. Avoid unnecessary travels.
6. Avoid public gatherings.
7. If you suspect you may be infected with Corona, do not use antibiotics, they will not be effective.
8. When interacting with strangers or those with cough/fever, stand at least three steps away.

Dr Vibhash Mishra, London, UK, Chief Medical Officer, Second Medic

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Flexible Work Schedules with Telehealth Support: A Smarter Approach to Employee Wellbeing

The modern workplace is undergoing a significant transformation. Rigid office hours and traditional healthcare access models are giving way to flexible work schedules and digital health solutions. One of the most impactful combinations emerging in corporate wellness is flexible work schedules with telehealth support.

This integrated approach addresses two critical challenges faced by today’s workforce: work-life imbalance and delayed healthcare access.

Why Workplace Health Models Need to Change

According to NITI Aayog and EY-FICCI workforce reports, Indian employees face rising levels of:

work-related stress
lifestyle diseases
burnout
absenteeism

Long working hours, commuting stress and limited time for medical visits worsen health outcomes. Flexible work arrangements and telehealth support directly address these gaps.

What Are Flexible Work Schedules?

Flexible work schedules allow employees to:

adjust start and end times
work remotely or in hybrid formats
manage personal commitments alongside work

Flexibility empowers employees to align work with their physical and mental health needs.

Understanding Telehealth Support

Telehealth uses digital platforms to deliver healthcare services such as:

online doctor consultations
follow-up care
preventive health advice
mental health support

It eliminates geographical and time barriers to healthcare.

Why Combining Flexibility with Telehealth Works

Individually, flexibility and telehealth are beneficial. Together, they create a powerful wellness ecosystem.

This combination allows employees to:

consult doctors without taking leave
manage chronic conditions proactively
address early symptoms promptly
reduce healthcare delays

Health Benefits for Employees

Reduced Stress and Burnout

Flexible schedules reduce time pressure, while telehealth removes healthcare-related anxiety.

Improved Access to Preventive Care

Employees are more likely to seek early consultations when care is convenient.

Better Management of Chronic Conditions

Conditions like hypertension, diabetes and thyroid disorders require regular follow-up, which telehealth supports efficiently.

Enhanced Mental Wellbeing

Tele-mental health services enable confidential and timely support.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Employees can prioritise health without compromising job responsibilities.

Productivity Benefits for Employers

Reduced Absenteeism

Quick access to care reduces prolonged sick leave.

Improved Employee Engagement

Health-supported employees show higher motivation and loyalty.

Lower Healthcare Costs

Preventive care reduces long-term medical claims.

Strong Employer Branding

Wellness-focused policies attract and retain talent.

Evidence Supporting Flexible Work and Telehealth

According to WHO and Lancet workplace health studies:

flexible work reduces stress-related disorders
telehealth improves healthcare utilisation
preventive care lowers chronic disease burden

Indian corporate data mirrors these findings, especially in hybrid work environments.

Role in Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on early risk identification and lifestyle management.

Flexible schedules with telehealth support:

encourage routine checkups
support ongoing health monitoring
enable early intervention

This aligns with India’s preventive healthcare priorities outlined by NITI Aayog.

Addressing Common Concerns

Productivity Loss Myth

Multiple studies show flexible work improves output rather than reducing it.

Quality of Telehealth

Telehealth is effective for most primary care and follow-up needs.

Data Security

Modern telehealth platforms follow strict privacy and data protection standards.

Ideal Use Cases in the Workplace

This model is particularly effective for:

IT and corporate offices
remote and hybrid teams
organisations with distributed workforce
high-stress work environments

Implementation Best Practices

To maximise impact:

set clear flexibility guidelines
integrate telehealth access into HR benefits
promote preventive consultations
track wellness metrics

Leadership support is key to adoption.

Long-Term Organisational Impact

Organisations adopting this model report:

improved employee health indicators
reduced burnout
stronger workplace culture
sustainable productivity gains

Wellbeing becomes a strategic advantage.

Conclusion

Flexible work schedules with telehealth support represent the future of employee wellbeing. By removing barriers to healthcare access and allowing employees control over their work routines, this approach promotes preventive care, reduces stress and enhances productivity. As workplaces evolve, integrating flexibility with digital health support is not just an employee benefit—it is a strategic investment in long-term organisational health and resilience.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion Framework
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease and Workforce Health Studies
NITI Aayog – Digital Health and Workplace Wellness Reports
Lancet – Telehealth and Workforce Productivity Research
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Future of Work Reports
Statista – Telehealth Adoption and Workforce Trends

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