A new study by International Workplace Group has revealed a clear correlation between the adoption of hybrid working policies and improved employee well-being.
Research carried out by the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands including Spaces and Regus examined the impact that hybrid working has had on the mental and physical health of 1,000 hybrid workers.
Four in five (80%) said that their overall well-being had significantly improved due to the greater flexibility offered by hybrid working.
The widespread uptake of hybrid working globally has seen increasing numbers of workers splitting their time between a local workspace, home and a city centre HQ, which has dramatically reduced time spent commuting and enabled a greater focus on wellbeing amongst workers that were previously not able to prioritise their health in the same way.
About 68% said their physical health has improved due to hybrid work, with benefits including being able to do more physical exercise (54%) and taking time for healthier meal preparation (58%).
Hybrid workers also felt better rested (80%) as they enjoyed significantly better quality and more consistent sleep patterns (68%).
This study further supports previous research by International Workplace Group that found that the average hybrid worker is now getting 4.7 hours of exercise a week, compared to 3.4 hours before the pandemic, and an extra 71 hours of sleep per year, or almost six hours per month.
Many businesses are complementing the physical health benefits offered by hybrid working with benefits and schemes which promote increased exercise.
An estimated 17% reported that their companies offered a discounted gym membership, while 28% have been given access to a cycle-to-work scheme.
With more flexibility over when, where and how they work, almost nine in 10 (86%) workers say hybrid working has led to a better work-life balance while over three quarters (78%) felt an overall reduction in their stress levels.
These factors have contributed to a happier, healthier workforce with four in five (81%) workers reporting improved mental health since moving to a hybrid model.
Not only are employees reporting the numerous well-being benefits of hybrid working, but HR leaders are equally positive about their impact.
International Workplace Group’s HR Leaders and Hybrid Working report published in May 2024 revealed that 86% of HR leaders said the model is one of the most in-demand wellness benefits among their employees and nearly the same amount (85%) said hybrid work is an effective retention tool.
HR leaders were equally positive about the wider well-being benefits of hybrid working with 88% saying the model was beneficial to employees’ mental health.
Given the positive impact of hybrid working on workers’ mental and physical health, it is unsurprising that three-quarters (76%) said returning to a central office five days a week would negatively affect their well-being.
The study also suggests this could impact business productivity. Three-quarters (74%) of workers said they were more productive when working in a hybrid model, while a similar number (76%) reported being more motivated.
Eighty-five per cent (85%) of employees said that hybrid work had improved their job satisfaction.
A separate survey conducted among Singapore professionals echoes this sentiment. Eighty-nine per cent (89%) of respondents expressed a strong preference for continuing in a hybrid or remote work model, and professionals working in a hybrid model also expressed the highest satisfaction with their work arrangements.
The survey also found flexible working arrangements (FWAs) to be a crucial factor in talent attraction and retention in Singapore, with 48% of hiring managers noting its importance.
HR leaders’ views support this, with four in five (86%) stating hybrid work is now one of the most in-demand employee wellness benefits, and reporting that it increases employee productivity (85%).
This also reflects research undertaken earlier this year by The Bank of England, Stanford University, King’s College London and Nottingham University, led by renowned economist and academic Nick Bloom.
It found that for every day a firm’s employee worked in a hybrid model, that firm’s productivity is around $19,000 higher.
In contrast, study 4 found that respondents affected by their mental well-being were 40% less productive at work and had missed out on an extra 17.7 days of work per year.
It is estimated that lost productivity attributed to poor mental well-being in Singapore could be costing the country S$15.7 billion – or 2.9% of its gross domestic product (GDP).
International Workplace Group, the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands including Spaces and Regus, added 867 new locations globally last year to meet the growing demand for hybrid working.
Mark Dixon, International Workplace Group CEO said, “Hybrid working is a win-win for both employees and employers. The balance that hybrid working offers – between office and home, and work and life – supports employee well-being and helps employers stay competitive when recruiting and retaining strong talent.”
“This research highlights a whole host of employee health benefits, from better sleep to more time for exercise. More flexibility in working patterns and reduced commuting time have enabled workers to focus on improving their physical and mental health,” he added.
