Are remote workers unhealthy? Depending on the flexibility of the employer, scientists say

That looks like waking up extra early to lift weights before heading to work, doing a HIIT session on your lunch break, or even wearing your workout gear for an after-work class at the office.

The introduction of remote and flexible working policies should therefore make it easier than ever for professionals to live up to their responsibilities.

Research has shown that working from home (and not going to the train station, carrying your stuff, or going from your desk to the meeting room) has negative health effects for most workers.

In fact, the Royal Society for Public Health found that many people who had switched to teleworking due to COVID-19 were becoming less active, developing musculoskeletal problems and having trouble sleeping.

Worrying research by health insurance company Bupa found that remote work can be just as dangerous as smoking, as high levels of inactivity increase workers’ risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood clots.

It’s not so black and white

However, new research should not be taken as the holy grail because, as Dr. Paola Zappa, a professor of organizational behavior at UCL, says the evidence is limited to the short-term effects of remote work, some of it the immediate response to lockdowns.

Of course, people will have reported back pain in 2021 if they were still working from their sofa or bed, but by now most telecommuters should have adequate desk facilities, so today’s results may differ from previous studies.

Also, the debate is much more nuanced than research suggests, which rules out a variety of factors, including flexibility in the workplace.

“In my opinion, teleworking per se hardly contributes to a healthier or unhealthier lifestyle,” says Zappa, because it depends on how much autonomy and control employees actually have to prioritize movement over working at home.

“The way remote work is managed by both workers and companies has the biggest impact on outcomes,” she adds.

A remote worker who worries about being admonished for leaving their desk or being offline won’t reap the freedom (and therefore health benefits) that working from home can offer – such as -between meetings .

“While the evidence on the effects of teleworking on the health of teleworkers is mixed, my current research suggests that choice of work environment and autonomy in performing their work are the most likely to lead to positive outcomes,” reiterates Dr. Amanda Jones, Lecturer in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at King’s Business School.

“Forced work from home or the office therefore seems to be worse for people than remote work per se,” adds Jones.

Also, don’t forget about mental health

When thinking about the health impact of remote work, it’s all too easy to focus on the potentially sedentary lifestyle that is synonymous with working from home.

But mental health is just as important – and research shows that teleworking can have a positive impact on how workers feel.

“Remote workers are known to enjoy, on average, better work-life balance and higher levels of job satisfaction, which can lead to reduced work stress and potentially reduced risk of burnout,” says Zappa.

Likewise, according to Jones’ own research, 56% of the 2,000 workers surveyed said remote work made them feel more relaxed, and 36% cited reduced stress as the top benefit of remote work.

“With the estimated cost of burnout to the UK economy in the tens of billions and between £125 billion and £190 billion in the US, the potential contribution of remote work to the health and well-being of both workers and society at large should not be underestimated. ” She adds.

On the other hand, the biggest disadvantage of remote work for mental health is social isolation.

Symptoms of isolation can include loneliness, emotional instability and depression, with Zappa warning managers that isolating workers from those who should be evaluating their performance can lead to a sense of job insecurity and anxiety.

“For this reason, it is important to maintain informal exchanges with colleagues,” she adds. “This may mean attending online networking events organized by the company – if they exist – or creating opportunities for online or possibly in-person meetings with colleagues.”

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