More than a third (34%) of hybrid workers take fewer sick days, according to research published on Wednesday (26 March) by flexible workspace provider The International Workplace Group.
After analysing responses from 2,000 hybrid workers across the UK, researchers from the International Workplace Group also found that 71% of hybrid workers make more time for preventative healthcare such as regular screenings, check ups and lifestyle changes.
More than two thirds (68%) of hybrid workers experience fewer stress-related healthcare conditions, and 69% report being better able to manage healthcare conditions, the research revealed.
For Gemma Dale, a HR professional and lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University's Business School, it is difficult to say whether hybrid workers are healthier because of differing employee needs.
She told HR magazine: "I don’t think we can say one way or another; it depends on so many factors.
"Hybrid work absolutely has the potential to improve employee health. However, if you have a poor home workstation setup, work in the kitchen (that might lead to conflict with family or blurred boundaries), if you personally find working from home isolating and lonely, or you are younger and have to work in your bedroom in a shared house – all of these things (and more!) might lead to negative impacts on health and wellbeing."
Read more: Make hybrid work healthy work
Steve Herbert, brand ambassador for occupational health provider Occupational Health Assessment, echoed this. He told HR magazine: "Hybrid working does provide the latitude to better balance personal health and wellbeing within the working day, and therefore many remote workers may well benefit from this approach.
"It follows that employers need to carefully consider how they can provide wellbeing support to workers to ensure that each and every one has access to the support they need at all times, and regardless of where they are based."
Herbert emphasised that many aspects of hybrid work go in-hand with positive wellbeing. He said: “One of the huge advantages of working from home is that remote workers are much closer to their local GP practice and medical support services. Home workers are often able to set up their home working conditions to make working through illness less challenging than commuting and working alongside others.
“It is therefore no surprise that remote and hybrid workers are taking fewer sick days per year.”
Employers that offer staff the opportunity to flex their working pattern will reap benefits, said Nicky Hancock, chief growth officer at workforce solutions firm, AMS.
Speaking to HR magazine, she said: “We’re all human, and we need time to take care of ourselves, mentally and physically. Employers that provide their workforce the time, flexibility and security to do this receive dividends in the form of greater productivity and company morale.”
Hancock encouraged employers to make use of hybrid models, in-office spaces such as wellness rooms, and professional support staff who focus on mental or physical health.
Read more: Making the right call on hybrid work
Employers can also offer tailored support to remote and hybrid workers, Dale reminded.
She said: “Hybrid and remote work demands specific interventions in relation to wellbeing at work; in particular support for switching off, boundary management and ergonomic health when working from home.
“HR should be promoting wellbeing and healthy cultures, supporting managers to do the same. Promotion of health can help to give employees permission to prioritise their own health.”
On top of all this, HR leaders should ensure that employees have enough time to make healthier decisions, advised Pamela Gellatly, strategic development director at health and rehabilitation services provider HCML.
Gellatly told HR magazine: "HR leaders need to give employees time, whether at work or at home, for activity. They also need to encourage employees to eat healthily and sleep well.
"This is achieved by providing access to the right health information, encouraging peer support, workplace events and the opportunity for employees to have access to the right support and the right benefits."
For Mark Steiger, chief operating officer at physical therapy and occupational health providers Confluent Health, HR leaders should be creating systems that promote a healthier lifestyle, no matter where their employees are based.
Speaking to HR magazine, Steiger said: "HR’s role is to create systems that make healthy choices easy. That means aligning policies, benefits, and culture around resilience, strength and wellbeing.
"Empower employees to take ownership of their health through simple tools, whether it’s mobility education, wearable tech or access to personal training consultations. These solutions work in any setting, not just remote or hybrid environments."
