Hybrid working has been found to make employees happier, healthier, and more productive, according to new research conducted among UK staff who split their working week between home and the office. A significant majority of those surveyed reported benefits to their mental and physical health, as well as improved work-life balance and job satisfaction.

The study, conducted by the International Workplace Group (IWG), surveyed 1,026 hybrid workers and found that three-quarters of them experienced less burnout compared to when they worked full-time in an office. A large percentage of respondents indicated feeling less drained (79%), less stressed (78%), and less anxious (72%) due to their flexible working arrangements. Additionally, 86% of participants reported that the extra free time gained from not commuting every day had enhanced their work-life balance and better equipped them to handle daily challenges.

Key benefits cited by hybrid workers included:

- Better quality of sleep (68%)

- Increased exercise (54%)

- Healthier meal preparation (58%)

- Overall better health (68%)

A significant 75% of respondents believed that returning to a five-day office workweek would harm their wellbeing. Mark Dixon, IWG's chief executive, emphasized the detrimental impact of daily commuting on workers' lives, highlighting that it separates families, fractures communities, pollutes the environment, and wastes time and money. The research illustrates the substantial health and wellbeing benefits of the hybrid work model, as workers use the time saved from commuting to enhance their quality of life and work-life balance.

The survey also revealed that around three in four hybrid workers felt more productive (74%) and more motivated (76%) due to their flexible work schedules, with 85% reporting improved job satisfaction. These findings align with research published in the scientific journal *Nature* by Nick Bloom, a Stanford University professor of economics and an expert on home working. Bloom's study of 1,612 staff at a Chinese technology company showed that hybrid working improved job satisfaction, had no negative impact on productivity, and reduced employee turnover by a third, particularly among women, non-managers, and those with long commutes. Additionally, 395 managers who were initially skeptical about hybrid working changed their perspective positively once they observed its benefits.

Dr. Jen Rhymer, an expert on the future of work at University College London’s School of Management, noted that IWG's findings support the demand for hybrid work arrangements, which have been shown to be as productive, if not more so, than fully in-office work. Studies consistently demonstrate that remote and hybrid work boosts job satisfaction and retention while reducing work stress and exhaustion, primarily due to increased autonomy.

Organisations offering flexible working are more likely to attract younger staff and are less affected by labor shortages, according to Dixon. He emphasized the importance of hybrid working for firms aiming to attract younger employees who favor the flexibility it provides. Offering a mix of remote and in-office work helps companies deliver the work-life balance that enhances employee wellbeing and productivity.

IWG, a leading global provider of hybrid working setups, ensured that the survey participants represented the UK population by region and gender. The findings have important implications for employers and policymakers. Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC, pointed out that despite recent legislative changes, employers still have considerable freedom to deny flexible working requests, and many employees fear discrimination if they ask for flexible working during job interviews. 

However, Nowak mentioned that Labour's new deal for working people aims to strengthen flexible working rules by making it a default right from day one of employment. This policy change could further support the growing demand for hybrid work arrangements and enhance the overall wellbeing and productivity of the workforce.