People say hybrid working has reduced their risk of burnout

A new poll claims that the vast majority of workers who have shifted to a hybrid working model say that it has helped them to greatly reduce burnout in their working lives. The survey of more than 1,000 people, undertaken by hybrid working firm International Workplace Group, suggests that three quarters (75 percent) reported a dramatic reduction in burnout symptoms, defined as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplaces stress, since moving to a hybrid model.

Figures from the poll suggest that 72 percent of the workforce experienced burnout at work before moving to a hybrid working model, where most split their time between a central office, local flexible coworking spaces and home.

According to the study, this increase in free time has led to a better work-life balance (86 percent), more physical exercise (54 percent), healthier meal prep (58 percent) and better quality of sleep (68 percent), all of which contributes to a diminished risk of burnout. Overall, more than two thirds of workers (68 percent) said their physical health had improved due to hybrid working.

Workers also reported feeling less drained (79 percent), less stressed (78 percent) and less anxious (72 percent), with an overwhelming 86 percent of workers saying they felt like they could cope with day-to-day life better when working in a flexible model.

Given the overwhelming positive impact of hybrid working on workers’ mental and physical health, it is perhaps unsurprising that three quarters (76 percent) said returning to a central office five days a week would negatively affect their wellbeing.

The study also suggests it could impact business productivity. 74 percent of workers said they were more productive when working in a hybrid model, while a similar number (76 percent) reported being more motivated. 85 percent of employees said that hybrid work had actually improved their job satisfaction.

This reflects research undertaken earlier this year by The Bank of England, Stanford University, King’s College London and Nottingham University, led by economist and academic Nick Bloom. It found that for every day a firm’s employee worked in a hybrid model, that that firm’s productivity is around $19,000 higher.