Younger workers are more likely than older colleagues to see the health benefits of office-based work, with 61 per cent of under-35s valuing its social components compared to 49 per cent of over-55s, according to Vitality’s Britain’s Healthiest Workplace data.
According to the research, younger workers, around 60 per cent, also believe that face-to-face work provides better learning opportunities compared to older workers (45 per cent). But when working from home, 48 per cent of people under 35 say they feel alone, compared to 31 per cent of people over 55.
Additionally, over half of all employees or 55 per cent believe they are more active in the office but 41 per cent admit to being less active when working from home, suggesting remote work doesn’t always lead to healthier habits.
According to the data, younger employees face particular challenges, with 63 per cent more likely to experience depression and 15 per cent more likely to suffer burnout than their older counterparts.
The UK continues to face a severe productivity crisis, with the Vitality data revealing that health-related issues have doubled productivity losses over the past decade, rising from 22.2 lost days in 2014 to around 50 in 2022 and 2023. In 2023 alone, these losses cost the economy £138 billion.
The data shows considerable demand across all age groups as the government seeks to make flexible working the default. Around 61 per cent of employees feel they would be more productive with more control over their hours, and 73 per cent of employees believe businesses should offer flexible alternatives. Employees report being more productive at home, whereas 41 per cent of managers believe that remote workers are less productive.
According to Vitality, businesses must adjust policies to the needs of their staff in the age of flexible working, including health and wellbeing to achieve notable productivity increases.
Vitality CEO Neville Koopowitz says: “Our research lays bare the undeniable link between health and productivity in the UK—and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the economy and businesses.
“The data points to the complexity of the challenges facing UK employers, but what is clear is that the prioritisation of employee wellbeing is key to unlocking productivity and driving economic success.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Businesses need to take the time to truly understand their workforce and adapt to the evolving needs of employees; whether that’s through targeted health strategies, access to mental health support, or working flexibility. By embedding employee health and wellbeing into the fabric of workplace policies, individuals, businesses and the wider economy stand to gain significantly.”