Why Hybrid Work Supports Mental Wellbeing for Employees

Introduction

Even though the real threat of illness, death, losing a loved one or isolation due to COVID-19, is now over, the lingering impact of the pandemic is still very much persistent. The COVID-19 pandemic has especially led to a significant shift in the way we all work and do our jobs today.

The trend of permanent remote work or work from home (WFH) was one of the most adopted interventions, not just in the corporate culture but also across all types of professions. It also became a very popular intervention by leaders as a way to address mental health in the workplace. While it served a purpose and helped in damage control on the impact of the economy, it also came with its own cons. For some it became overwhelmingly lonely, and for others it triggered stress and burnout.

In a recent survey from 2022 of over 1,000 UK employees, it was reported that 1 in 3 UK employees suffer symptoms of depression and anxiety and 52% of them have not yet spoken to a doctor or healthcare professional. The people tasked with keeping the economy on a path to growth are clearly still not getting the help they need.

4 ways hybrid work supports employee mental wellbeing:

1. Work life balance

The hybrid work model allows an employee to spend part of their work week in the office and the rest working remotely. There are now many tools for remote teams available to make this happen. This flexibility allows employees to separate their work from personal life. It also gives them the opportunity to figure out what kind of time and space they need to be working both efficiently and effectively. Additionally, this also allows them to tune out of work at their convenience and take time to recuperate and re-energize for the next day which is much needed for good mental health.

2. Flexibility and autonomy to choose

The flexibility to have the option of choice leaves one feeling much more in control of their schedules and how, where and when they work. An employee would no longer have to plan around their work hours to figure out when to visit the doctor or spend time with their parents. The hybrid work model gives the flexibility to plan around these important events.This helps not only the employee but also the employer as they can expect optimum productivity and in turn increased quality of work.

3. Less burnout and fatigue

Having the pressure of being at a certain place and time and expected behavior to adhere to the culture of a workplace can sometimes be overwhelming and is capable of making one feel mentally exhausted in addition to work pressure. Having the space to take personal time in between work through a hybrid work model, can make one feel a lot less stressed and can help reduce work fatigue and improves employee performance.

4. More efficient use of time

Productivity is not measured by the number of hours one gives to the work, but by the effectiveness and quality of work one is able to achieve. One employee might be more productive and efficient with their work between the early morning hours of 8 am – 10 am, while another employee might be more productive after 6pm. So instead of being bound by the 9 – 5 weekly schedule, and working in a constricted amount of time, employees have much more flexibility in a hybrid work model, allowing them to use their time more efficiently for the benefit of the company.

5. Reduced commute time

Depending on where you live or where your office is located, commuting to and from work can be a huge hindrance to working effectively. An employee can lose out on hours of work due to traffic, road accidents, bad weather etc. Instead, having the option to work from home could save both employees and companies a lot of time and money.

Conclusion

It is undeniable that giving choice and autonomy is an influential factor in determining an employee’s mental wellbeing. And mental wellbeing indeed impacts the way one performs at work. If we consider the wellbeing of the employees as a priority, a hybrid work model can be one of the perks to begin with, in addition to others that makes the space flexible, equitable and inclusive. One size does not always fit all and a hybrid work model allows employees to figure out what works best for them.