This is why hybrid workers report better mental health

By Aoibhinn Mc Bride

Ever since the pandemic forced millions of Americans to abandon their offices, the subject of remote work—and if it is sustainable in the long term—has become one of the most divisive issues facing employers and employees alike.

On one extreme, you have Tesla and Twitter boss Elon Musk ordering staff back to the office and calling those who demand to work from home, "morally wrong". On the other hand, companies are providing extensive job flexibility for their employees in the form of live and work anywhere options.

Somewhere in the middle, hundreds of thousands of employers are tapping into the zeitgeist for work-life balance by offering a hybrid option where workers spend two or three days per week in the office, and the rest of the week working from home.

Positive effects
While Musk probably doesn't want to hear it, the evidence points to hybrid work being the best option for everyone concerned.

A recent study published by the International Workplace Group (IWG), a company that provides businesses with hybrid workplace solutions, found that hybrid workers are sleeping and exercising for longer, have healthier eating habits and are more focussed on health and wellbeing.

Broken down, workers on average are getting 71 hours more in bed in the morning each year and are achieving 4.7 hours of exercise per week compared to 3.4 hours before the pandemic.

More time spent at home also means hybrid workers have the ability to cook more, and 70% shared that they now have the means to prepare a healthy breakfast. More than 50% said that additional free time means they cook nutritionally balanced meals throughout the week.

All of these physical measures have had a knock-on impact on mental health too, with 81% of respondents saying hybrid work has facilitated them taking time out to focus on health and well-being.

The bottom line? Employers and employees alike can have the best of both worlds if the infrastructure and pathways to effective communication—in-office or remotely—are put in place.

However, with more and more companies insisting staff return to the office on a permanent basis, often the only way to future proof a hybrid working model is to seek out an employer that is on the same wavelength.

If that is the case, the Employee Benefit News Job Board is the perfect place to start your search for a new career opportunity. It features thousands of jobs in progressive companies that are currently hiring, like the five below.

Adobe
Employees at Adobe can work from headquarters, at home, or another workspace entirely. This is because the company wants its staff to work in a way that fits their life and work style, whether that's in the office full time, full-time remote, or a mix of the two. It is currently hiring for a number of roles across a variety of departments and states including a Director, Business Operations, Global Talent Acquisition in San Francisco.

Deloitte
Global consultancy firm Deloitte has also implemented a hybrid working policy to allow its staff to have flexibility and control in how they work and have the freedom to choose how to deliver their best work. It is currently looking for a Chief of Staff in Arlington to provide strategic support on matters related to the management and operation of the office along with a Learning and Development Manager in Kansas City.

Citi
Citi's remote working policy continues to evolve, and in its latest company update, the global banking group has stipulated that the majority of employees are now required to work three days in office and two from home. If you are considering a career with Citi in the Florida area, it is seeking both a Senior Project Manager and Payroll Tax Manager to work in a hybrid capacity out of its Tampa office.

Accenture
If more of a flexible approach is what you are looking for, Accenture is now focusing on how to create experiences that give employees "autonomy, support and purpose" wherever they are located. The IT consulting company has a number of openings across the U.S. including a Workday Financials Functional Architect in LA.

Prudential
Not only has Prudential implemented a hybrid work policy for its own staff, it has also commissioned research to investigate the positive impact working from home has had on employees. The New Jersey-based firm is hiring a Lead Business Analyst to work on the corporate strategy team in Newark, while its North Bethesda office is seeking a Senior Firm Support Specialist.

For thousands more hybrid and remote working options visit the Employee Benefit News Job Board today