People’s working habits have changed significantly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The work-from-home trend persists even though the globe has returned to normal. Due to this, companies are now considering a hybrid model of working that combines remote and face-to-face work. On the other hand, recent research has suggested that hybrid workers may be healthier than those who only work from offices or complete remotely.
Hybrid work provides employees more flexibility as to where they want to work. They can alternate between working from home on certain days and go to office at other times, thereby exploiting the advantages inherent in each approach. This adaptability can result in health benefits for hybrid workers.
First and foremost, hybrid workers may face less anxiety compared to their colleagues confined in offices. Working from home enables one to reduce commuting time; and schedule his or her work well hence striking a better balance between life at home and the workplace. Unlike working only at the office which lengthens commute hours and causes stress due to office politics. With lower stress levels, employees can have improved health condition which includes good mental health, lower blood pressure, good sleep quality, and reduced anxiety.
Secondly, hybrid workers have greater control over their working environments thus reducing potential risks associated with workplace injuries. In this case, employees can adjust their workspace configurations according to individual requirements. They can properly set their desks and seats according to preference and have adequate lighting. Whereas those who solely depend on being physically present in offices may suffer due to poor sitting ergonomics amid other environmental factors leading to discomforts over time.
Finally, hybrid workers can experience benefits affiliated with physical exercise during working hours, unlike full-time remote ones. For instance, these individuals can engage in physical activities like walking or cycling to work when they go to the office. Regardless of whether it is 5 minutes a day, a few kilometers per week, or several hundred meters during weekends, all those willing to opt for such a hybrid schedule may gain considerable health advantages. These may include weight loss, improved cardiovascular fitness levels, and less stress.
To sum up, numerous advantages come with hybrid working models which include flexibility in working hours, lower stress levels, and increased physical exercises. Therefore, by combining remote work benefits with office routines, hybrid workers could lead healthier lives both mentally and physically. Thus, amidst the current adaptations by organisations towards new ways of doing things at workplaces, it is important to look into some of the merits tied to this kind of approach as well as how they have positively impacted employee health and wellbeing.