Study Says Workplaces Should Reconsider Remote Work Policies As Traditional Office Setting Better For Mental Health

The study by Sapien Labs, a research organisation based out of the US, suggested that remote work doesn’t provide any benefits to the mental wellbeing of individuals in comparison to office work

The report said that mental health is determined primarily by the relationship of an individual with colleagues and a sense of purpose at work.

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While offices across the world debate about returning to work, a recent study found that traditional office work boosts the mental health of employees. The study by Sapien Labs, a research organisation based out of the US, suggested that remote work doesn’t provide any benefits to the mental wellbeing of individuals in comparison to office work.

The study highlighted the role of in-person collaboration and the office environment in providing a boost to mental health of workers, reported Moneycontrol. The survey was conducted globally with more than 54,000 individuals across 65 countries. 

The report said that mental health is determined primarily by the relationship of an individual with colleagues and a sense of purpose at work. The study found that those working in a full remote setting experienced their mental health worsen in comparison to their colleagues working in a hybrid or in-office setting.

The study said that two factors add majorly to the mental well being of individuals namely, positive relationships with co-workers and a strong sense of pride in their work. These help in controlling isolation, detachment, and sadness feelings in individuals, found to be more prevalent in fully remote workers.

In comparison to the social dynamics of office life, the study found workload and flexible hours to have a lesser effect on the mental health of individuals. The research organisation said that employees who had strong relationships in office and a clear purpose scored better in terms of mental health by almost double against those who rated these areas poorly.

The study also found that flexibility on its own cannot balance the disadvantages of lack of social engagement. Sapien Labs in its report suggested organisations to look into rethinking the remote work policies in order to boost mental health of employees. The report noted, “What we need to thrive is not merely leisure and convenience, but meaning and connection, even if that means more structured work.”