Two thirds of remote workers suffer from something called productivity anxiety

A new poll from Workhuman claims that while 61 percent of UK employees report higher productivity when working remotely two thirds of fully remote employees say they suffer from what the report refers to as ‘productivity anxiety’. Of those workers, one in four says they battle feelings of inadequacy or pressure to perform constantly or frequently. The survey suggests that fully in-office workers report the least amount of productivity anxiety, as well as higher levels of motivation than remote workers. Workers who are fully remote are also 69 percent more likely to feel bored while working compared to fully in-office workers. Also of note, hybrid workers report 31 percent less burn out than fully in office ones.

The report doesn’t appear to define productivity anxiety but we take it to mean a worry an individual may have that they are not seen as doing or contributing enough to the success of their business.

The vast majority of UK respondents (86 percent) identify work-life balance as the most important element of workplace wellbeing. However, the disparity between employees’ top priority for wellbeing – work-life balance – and high levels of productivity anxiety highlight the need for companies to reassess their well-being initiatives to better align with employee needs.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents reported that recognition for their work would be the most effective way to alleviate feelings of productivity anxiety. Frequent feedback from managers and colleagues was the second most popular factor for 42 percent of employees. These results suggest that employees crave validation and appreciation for their efforts and underscore potential deficiencies in the workplace like lack of recognition and clear communication.

Despite the considerable number of respondents who report higher productivity when working remotely, nearly half (48 percent) of respondents are working five days per week in the office. Yet, 56 percent believe it is possible to do their job remotely at least some of the time. This discrepancy suggests that more flexible options, like hybrid working could empower some employees to achieve more in less time – potentially alleviating feelings of inadequacy or falling behind that contribute to anxiety.

The survey of 1,000 full-time employees in the UK was commissioned by Workhuman and conducted by Pollfish to gain insights into workplace sentiment, productivity and wellbeing.

Image by Anna