Is hybrid working improving our way of life?

The rise of hybrid working has resulted in more and more employees spending a lot of time at home. This time spent away from the office could be doing us some good.

According to a study from IWG, flexible working arrangements have resulted in people exercising more, sleeping longer, and eating healthier.

Dr Sara Kayat, a partner of IWG, believes that flexibility in the workplace leaves room for employees to lead a healthier lifestyle.

“There is no doubt that hybrid working has facilitated some major health benefits. A balanced diet, physical activity and good quality sleep are the bedrocks of a healthy lifestyle, and this data suggests that each is more widespread due to the extra time afforded by a hybrid working model,” explained Dr Kayat.

“Stress management and social connections are also incredibly important to mental wellbeing. A healthy work/life balance is essential to achieving these, allowing people to work closer to home and make more time for family, friends and stress-busting hobbies.”

IWG’s research found that, on average, hybrid workers exercise 4.7 hours a week, up from 3.4 hours before COVID-19. Sleep times have also improved, as they’re reportedly getting three days of extra sleep per year.

Diets have become healthier as 70 per cent said hybrid working gives them the time in the morning to eat a healthy breakfast. Furthermore, 54 per cent are cooking healthier meals throughout the week, 46 per cent are eating more fruit, 44 per cent more vegetables, 20 per cent are consuming more fish, and a quarter have reduced sugar consumption.

IWG chief executive Mark Dixon commented: “This study confirms what we have been seeing for a while now – how hybrid working is building and maintaining a healthier and happier workforce by reducing the need for long daily commutes.

“Offering hybrid working is such an important and easy way for businesses to put their employees first by freeing up their time and giving them greater control over their schedules. Organisations that have adopted hybrid working are not only seeing healthier and happier workforces, but more engaged and productive teams.”

This extra time to exercise and eat healthy has resulted in dramatic weight loss for hybrid workers. IWG found that 27 per cent have shed weight since before COVID-19. Fourty-two per cent have lost between five and 9.9 kilograms, and almost a quarter have lost over 10 kilograms.

Mental health is also seeing a boost, with 66 per cent saying they’ve experienced better mental health, and 81 per cent said they have more time to spend doing what they want to do.

Flexibility can improve employee wellbeing, which has been proven to have profound effects on business success. Giving staff the option to work how they want to work may be a great step towards boosting productivity and retaining the workers you have.