Remote work has produced some worrying but also highly salutary mental health statistics over the last few years. It’s now well known that working from home can cause depression, for example, but also that it can improve mental health. With that in mind, below are 6 remote work mental and physical health statistics to keep in mind.
Employees who work remotely are less likely to experience burnout
Research that was conducted on the impact of working remotely on employees’ levels of burnout revealed that employees who work remotely are less likely to feel exhausted, cynical and worn-out at the end of their day.
People who work remotely are more productive and have better mental health than those who work in an office
In research that was conducted on both home-based workers and people who work in an office, it was found out that remote employees communicate more often with their colleagues compared to people who work in a traditional setting. Employees who worked away from the office also receive less criticism, feel they have more time to maintain a good work-life balance and report to be less stressed than office-based workers.
Employees who work remotely are more likely to take care of their physical health
Research that was conducted on the impact of working remotely on workers’ physical health revealed that employees who do not have to commute to work could save money, time and stress levels. These employees are likely to take better care of themselves because they get more time for exercising or attending fitness classes during their free time. This way, working remotely might actually promote physical as well as mental health.
Employees who work remotely report to be more satisfied with their life
Research that was conducted on the impact of working remotely on employees’ subjective well-being revealed that home-based employees are more satisfied with their lives both at work and at home. They also reported a higher level of life satisfaction compared to employees who work in an office.
Employees who work remotely are more likely to be engaged at their workplace
Research that was conducted on the impact of working remotely on employees’ job engagement revealed that remote workers have a higher level of job satisfaction and a lower level of intentions to leave their jobs. They also reported being more satisfied with the way they collaborate and communicate with their colleagues as well as how often they socialize with them.
Employees who work remotely are more proactive
Research that was conducted on the impact of working remotely on employees’ proactivity revealed that compared to those who work in an office, home-based employees feel that they have more autonomy and that they play a more active role in their team. They reported being very proactive, for example by bringing up new ideas or taking care of tasks without having to be asked to do so first.
Conclusion
There are a lot of good reasons to continue to work remotely. In fact, the biggest reason may be that it’s a better fit for some people. Keep the above mental and physical health statistics in mind as you decide whether remote work is right for you personally, your company or your team.
HR Future Staff Writer