Fully remote workers are happier and more productive than those who work full time in the office or have hybrid working conditions.
That’s according to a new report, ‘The State of Wellbeing at Work’ from employment tech organisation Employment Hero, which is based on a survey of over 1,000 Gen Z to ‘Boomer’ aged UK employees.
It revealed that some 67% of fully remote workers rate their work productivity as high, compared to just 54% of hybrid workers – supporting the new Labour Government’s plans to overhaul the working day.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s focus over the next 12 months includes making flexible working a day one right, potentially removing the current statutory grounds for refusal and creating a ‘right to switch off’, allowing workers to disconnect outside of working hours.
The report indicated that remote workers have the best work-life balance in the UK: 59% of fully remote workers thought they had time to relax, compared to 46% of fully in-office/onsite workers. It also revealed that 57% of fully remote workers were more likely to feel that their work-life balance had improved in the last 3 months versus 44% of hybrid workers and 38% of fully in-office/onsite workers.
Their survey also highlights that 45% of fully remote workers are more comfortable talking to their boss about financial concerns, compared to 32% of fully in-office/onsite workers and 29% of hybrid workers, confirming remote employees can foster strong working relationships with colleagues and management.
Gosia Bowling, National Mental Health Lead Nuffield Health, said: “Contrary to the traditional belief that fixed working hours equate to productivity, done well, flexible working often leads to higher efficiency. Employees can work during their most productive hours, resulting in better-quality outputs. The workplace has changed, and so have the wants and needs of the workforce. Employers need to recognise that focusing on employee health and wellbeing isn’t just a ‘nice thing to do’ – It’s essential for businesses to thrive sustainably.”
You can download The State of Wellbeing at Work report here.
