Hybrid working appears to produce happier workforces, with a better life-work balance according to new research by Health Shield Friendly.
This Britain At Work report found that 74 per cent of hybrid workers said they were happy with their work-life balance. This compares to 71 per cent of those who work on-site and and 64 per cent of those who work entirely remotely.
Overall 28 per cent of respondents said their work-life balance was ‘less than good’ and a third of workers surveyed said a lack of flexible arrangements was a barrier to achieving a better work-life balance.
The report showed that happier workforces tend to be more productive, with fewer days absence. The report found happier employees are absent less often, taking 6.7 days off a year compared to 11.9 days for those who feel unhappy and unsupported.
The report shows while many employees want flexible working, a ‘remote-first’ policy, where staff primarily work from home, does not always deliver for everyone. Remote workers not only reported lower lower levels of happiness and motivation, they also had higher absence rates, taking an average of 11.2 days off sick per year, compared to 6.7 days for hybrid workers and 5.8 for on-site workers.
Remote workers were also less likely to say their employer supports their wellbeing a lot — 28 per cent compared to 38 per cent of those working hybrid or on-site.
Health Shield says that while the report shows progress being made on employee wellbeing, there are still some areas of concern, with 40 per cent of respondents across all working arrangements saying their work frequently or always interferes with personal or family life.
In addition, 35 per cent said high workload demands are a barrier to achieving a good work-life balance. This included 30 per cent of respondents who cited problems with long hours, while a quarter of respondents said they had difficulty disconnecting from work. A total of 11 per cent of workers surveyed said they did not have enough support from their employer.
Health Shield said this report shows that staff feel more motivated when employers support wellbeing. In total 93 per cent of employees who feel their employer supports their wellbeing a lot are happy and motivated in their work, with 98 per cent also feeling valued and supported.
Health Shield director Paul Shires says: “Employers have an important opportunity to listen to their teams by providing flexible, inclusive solutions which enable them to thrive both at work and home.
“This can be achieved by tackling the real barriers, such as excessive workloads, long hours and limited flexibility, and by considering different needs across the workforce.”
HR consultant Perry Timms adds: “High workloads, long hours, and limited flexibility aren’t just employee challenges — they’re business challenges. Stress and burnout directly impact productivity, team performance and the bottom line.
“By implementing flexible policies and managing workloads effectively, businesses can unlock higher employee engagement, reduce turnover costs, and drive innovation. A thriving workforce doesn’t just perform better, it creates measurable commercial value, making investment in employee wellbeing a strategic move for long-term success.”