Hybrid work is impacting mental health, says recent survey.
- 42% of hybrid workers report negative mental health effects.
- Exercise routines are disrupted for many hybrid workers.
- Generational differences exist in mental wellbeing support.
- Tailored support is essential for hybrid work success.
A recent survey by Pluxee UK reveals that hybrid workers are the most likely to experience negative effects on their mental health, with 42% reporting such impacts. This figure surpasses the 32% of fully remote and 30% of fully office-based employees who experience similar challenges. Although hybrid working offers flexibility that many employees desire, it also introduces unique challenges that require targeted support to maintain employee wellbeing and work-life balance.
The flexibility of hybrid work models, while advantageous, seems to lead to difficulties in establishing consistent routines between home and office environments. Notably, 41% of hybrid workers reported skipping exercise due to work-related fatigue. This statistic is significantly higher compared to the 29% of remote and 31% of office-based workers respectively. Moreover, 26% of hybrid workers have skipped exercise due to extended work hours, clearly indicating the need for a structured approach to managing time effectively in hybrid work settings.
Tom Nash from Pluxee UK articulates that while hybrid working indeed offers remarkable flexibility, employees require appropriate support to thrive. Emphasising the necessity of tailored benefits and resources, Nash notes that proactive measures are essential to foster healthful behaviours among hybrid workers and safeguard both mental and physical wellbeing. This pursuit of health must persist irrespective of the work arrangement, focusing on using the flexibility of hybrid work to enhance overall employee health, not undermine it.
Generational disparities are starkly highlighted in the survey, particularly in the provision of mental wellbeing benefits. Only 15% of Baby Boomers receive such benefits compared to 31% of Gen Z employees. Furthermore, 37% of Gen Z feel comfortable discussing mental health in the workplace due to employer support, contrasting sharply with just 20% of Baby Boomers who share this sentiment. Additionally, while 54% of Gen Z perceive their employers’ wellbeing focus positively impacting the work environment, only 24% of Baby Boomers agree.
These differences could be attributed to generational attitudes towards mental health, with Gen Z growing up in a more open culture compared to Baby Boomers who were often encouraged to internalise these issues. Nash reflects on the need for a comprehensive and inclusive shift in workplace mental health support, emphasising that less than a quarter of Baby Boomers see a positive environment fostered by employer wellbeing focus. It underscores the imperative to cater mental health strategies inclusively across age groups and work arrangements.
The survey reinforces the critical need for comprehensive, tailored support systems in hybrid work environments to promote mental health across all generations.
