The latest study by Vitality highlights the superior health and productivity benefits of hybrid working arrangements.
- Hybrid workers experience fewer lost days due to illness compared to those working fully from home or the office.
- Healthier lifestyles, including lower obesity and better mental health, are more prevalent among hybrid workers.
- Engagement in workplace well-being programs is higher among hybrid workers, further enhancing productivity.
- The research underscores the crucial role of flexibility in optimizing employee well-being and productivity.
According to a comprehensive study conducted by Vitality, hybrid working models, which involve a balance between home and office environments, have shown to significantly reduce productivity loss caused by health issues. The study indicates that workers in hybrid setups lose fewer days due to illness or reduced productivity, with a notable difference in comparison to those who work entirely from home or the office.
Individuals working in hybrid environments lose only 47.8 days of productive time annually due to health-related issues, which includes a mere 4.9 days from formal absence. This is starkly lower than the 50.8 days lost by full-time home workers, where 9.6 days are due to formal absence, and a slightly better count than full-time office workers who lose an average of 1.2 more productive days.
The research further delves into physical and mental health metrics, showing that hybrid workers have a lower obesity rate and better mental well-being compared to their peers. Only 20% of hybrid workers are reported to be obese. Comparatively, 25.2% of full-time remote workers fall into this category. Mental health also indicates positive trends, with only 8.1% of hybrid workers at risk of depression, against 10.4% of office workers and 12.1% of home workers.
Workplace engagement and well-being initiatives see more participation from those in hybrid roles, capitalizing on their time in the office to engage in various health programs. Hybrid workers’ participation in health care interventions reached 31%, higher than the 23% of home workers and 28% of office workers.
Hybrid workers demonstrate the highest engagement in physical activities such as company-wide step challenges, which significantly contribute to reducing productivity loss by 22%. These activities, alongside nutritional initiatives that hybrid workers partake just as frequently as their office counterparts, further highlight the connection between involvement in health programs and overall productivity improvement.
Vitality’s CEO, Neville Koopowitz, emphasized the study’s revelations, stating: “Our research highlights the clear evidence that where and how we work can have a significant role in our well-being, and ultimately our productivity. There is clear value in flexibility, but employers need to strike the balance and there are tangible benefits to spending some time each week in the office.” Koopowitz’s insight reaffirms the need for companies to foster a well-balanced working environment to enhance employee health and efficiency.
The study included more than 4,700 individuals and analyzed their productive time lost due to absenteeism and presenteeism, alongside the factors influencing their behavior. These insights present a compelling case for employers to consider hybrid models to maximize productivity and well-being outcomes.
The findings decisively illustrate that hybrid work arrangements can lead to healthier and more productive employees, validating the strategic advantage of flexible work models.
