Are Remote Workers Happier? New Study Says Yes

I’m fielding lots of questions from clients these days – especially executives participating in Vida Aventura leadership development programs – and they revolve around corporate culture, remote working, and hybrid work structure. Some of their biggest concerns?

 

• • • But everyone needs to be in the same room!

• • • We need to get back to normal.

• • • I don’t see how remote working can be good for anyone long-term.

• • • I’m worried that my remote team is isolated and depressed.

And I say, not so fast. According to a recent survey by Tracking Happiness, a mental health research website, the ability to work remotely is positively correlated with employee happiness. In fact, fully remote workers reported a happiness level roughly 20% higher than those who worked in the office 100% of the time. 

Tracking Happiness surveyed 12,455 global workers for the study, which was conducted in April. Almost twice as many men (65.1%) than women (34.5%) responded. Let’s take a closer look.

Who is working from home? Millennials were most likely to work remotely, according to the study, with Generation Z close behind. And the generation whose happiness increased the most as a result of remote work? Millennials. 

Commute times matter. One of the areas that had a negative correlation with employee happiness was commute times: if they were beyond one hour, it led to a sharp decline in happiness. 

 

Other key findings:

• • • • The average work happiness of people who have to come into the office 100% of their time is 5.90. In contrast, employee happiness is at 7.04 for those who spent 100% of their time working remotely.
      • Average employee happiness increases by 3% for every added remote workday.
      • Employees who were stripped of the ability to work remotely were relatively unhappy at work.
      • Respondents that had the ability to work 100% remotely at the peak of the pandemic, but are now mandated back to the office 100% of the time are significantly unhappier than the average respondent.
      • Employee happiness is likely to decrease as a result of “back-to-office” mandates.

 

Why it’s important.

As we continue to explore work structures amidst evolving coronavirus strains and resulting health-related issues, leaders will continue to face challenges. One important factor to consider is employee well-being, and realize the importance of nurturing a people-first corporate culture. Under that umbrella is understanding how large a role work arrangements play in employee happiness.

 

What’s best for you?

There are no magic answers in terms of your own company policy on remote working. Some of my clients have adopted flexible options that fall under a hybrid model. Others have gone permanently remote, while I know of companies who are all back in-person, all the time. There are challenges to every option. 

What I do know is that leading with empathy – which includes active listening, caring on a more personal level, being transparent, and helping others – will go a long way in helping you make the best decisions for your teams.  

Corporate cultures shift, workplaces transform, and businesses must constantly respond to industry changes and trends. Leaders must do the same. Developing people-first leaders is key to cultivating people-centric organizations. Through executive coaching, team building and leadership training, Vida Aventura can help you get there – contact us now and let’s talk about how we can help make that happen. 

 

 

Feature image: Photo by Yasmina H on Unsplash