Improving employee health and wellbeing through hybrid work

Hybrid employees have taken advantage of reduced commuting time to gain health and wellbeing benefits such as weight loss, improved mental health, better cooking habits, longer sleep, and increased exercise.

This in turn, has led to an increase in productivity among these employees, according to a IWG study of more than 2,000 hybrid employees.

According to the study, the average hybrid employee now dedicates 4.7 hours a week to exercise, compared to 3.4 hours before the pandemic and are getting 71 extra hours of sleep a year. Eating habits have also improved, with 70% of employees reporting that hybrid working has given them the time to prepare a healthy breakfast every day, and 54% having more time to cook nutritious meals during the week.

A healthier workforce is also delivering productivity gains for organisations, with 79% of employees saying they have been more productive since pre-2020 due to less work-related stress (47%) and having more time to relax and unwind after work (46%).

Two-thirds (66%) of employees also believe that hybrid working has benefited their mental health. Of these employees, 81% reported having more personal time to promote their health and wellbeing by spending time with family and friends (55%) and exercising (52%) or taking a short walk during the day (67%).

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Mark Dixon, CEO of IWG, said, “Offering hybrid work 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.”