As hybrid and remote work have become a norm in the wake of the pandemic, FlexJobs, a job-search subscription service, conducted a near monthlong survey that observed the connection between remote work and mental health and job satisfaction.
The survey collected responses from over 5,600 employed individuals, starting at the beginning of May and running until the end of the month. The goal of the survey was to observe how the attitudes of working professionals transformed with their changing work arrangements.
Here are the biggest takeaways, according to the study:
1. Fifty-six percent of the working professionals surveyed said working from home has improved their mental health. Individuals who work in person claimed working remotely would "definitely" improve their mental health.
2. Ninety-six percent of the survey participants said their mental health would be best supported by a remote or hybrid working arrangement. Of that 96 percent, 47 percent of the respondents said working entirely from home would best support their mental health, leaving only 4 percent of respondents who said working entirely in the office is best for their well-being.
3. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said the work commute impacts their stress levels. Of the 87 percent, 58 percent of the participants stated commuting impacts their stress levels either enormously or a lot. Additionally, the survey highlighted a direct correlation between the length of the commute and stress levels.
4. Forty-eight percent of the respondents indicated decreased stress levels as a result of working remotely. Other health benefits that respondents mentioned include: less burnout (36 percent), healthier food choices (35 percent), reduced anxiety and depression (34 percent), improved overall mental health (33 percent), improved sleep (32 percent), increased exercise (30 percent), improved overall physical health (28 percent) and improved personal relationships (23 percent).
5. Working separately from peers does not negatively impact career development or collaboration. Thirty percent of the respondents said they observed a positive impact on their career development once they started working remotely. Additionally, 52 percent of participants said they believe remote work has no impact or a positive impact on collaboration.
6. Forty-four percent of respondents had a more optimistic attitude surrounding their career when working remotely. The survey asked the participants how their overall attitude toward their career has changed within the past year. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents reported feeling as or more optimistic than last year, leaving a minority of the individuals feeling pessimistic.