More than one in four (27%) of hybrid workers say it has a positive effect on their mental health, according to new research.
A survey by TravelPerk found that almost half (46%) of those who split their working time between home and the office enjoy doing so because they save time when not having to commute and because of the work-life balance benefits (43%).
More than a third (34%) believe they are also more productive, while 29% like the balance of spending time with colleagues and spending time at home.
Avi Meir, CEO of TravelPerk, said: “Technology will never replace the magic and energy that exists when people get together in person. That’s why so many businesses are keen to encourage workers to return to the office and why many employees are embracing it – because the meetings that matter, happen in person.”
The research, which polled 1,000 staff, explored hybrid working patterns among the UK workforce. It further found that a fifth (19%) don’t believe in-person meetings with colleagues are at all important, but almost three in five (58%) think they are because they create a sense of belonging within the team. Around 43% say it positively affects creativity and productivity, yet only 3% would be happy to go into work more and almost a quarter (23%) would like to do so less.
The study further revealed that most workers (69%) have to go to their workplace a certain number of days every week or month. Of these, 28% do five days a week in the office, while 9% do four days, 22% do three days, 24% do two days and 16% do less than that per week.
Meir concluded: “The need for in-person connections is deeply rooted in who we are as human beings, and this comes through very clearly in the survey. Those in-real-life connections enable meaningful interactions, business opportunities and team success stories, which are necessary for businesses to thrive.”
