We analyzed millions of figures, including those of our own workers at Alliance Virtual Offices and Allwork.Space, to see how remote work impacts individuals\u2019 health and wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To our surprise, we found that all workers benefit from being offered<\/strong> the option to work from home, but the greatest benefits were found among several minority groups. <\/p>\n\n\n In addition to a literature review, we also surveyed workers across Alliance Virtual Offices and Allwork.Space to see how our teams compared to a control group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re sure you’re ready for the stats, so check out our original research below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n References, methods, and procedures for this study can be found in the Methods and Procedures PDF<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When a worker can be in the workplace without disclosing religious affiliation, race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancies, or disabilities, the playing field is more level. The anonymity that remote work offers can provide safety and mental wellbeing for minorities by shielding them from discrimination, letting work speak for itself (Kennette, L. & Lin, P., 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The unemployment rate in the U.S. among disabled individuals is around 9% – Remote work can bring many of these people back into the workforce, increasing possibilities for economic advancement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to one report, 133 million people in the U.S. are living with a chronic illness \u2013 remote work may be able to help them cope with their illnesses and stay in the workforce. (DeFelice, M., 2019). <\/p>\n\n\n Regardless of mental health, disability, or minority status, 80% of all workers would leave their job to work for an organization that focused more on mental health (Westfall, C., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Millions of women have either quit or lost their jobs due to the lack of childcare, especially during the pandemic (Kennette & Lin, 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n Women are 32% less likely to leave their job if they have access to remote work, as it allows them greater flexibility in working hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only would more women remain in their jobs, but offering work-from-home options for mothers could replace $8 billion in lost wages as they would be able to reenter the workforce (Connley, 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n When both parents have the option to work at home, it establishes a more equal distribution of domestic labor and allows both partners to have more time with their children Additionally, educated women, who traditionally have fewer children later in life, when given the option to work from home can help them realize both their career and parenting goals (Murray, 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n Interestingly, men are more likely to be hesitant in embracing remote work. In a performance-driven atmosphere, many men reported they feared their achievements would go unnoticed, whereas women did not express the same fears. There may be many reasons for this phenomenon, but men having an unfair advantage in the workplace could be one reason (Kennette, L. & Lin, P., 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remote workers are more relaxed, more efficient, and produced a higher volume of work (Guler, et al., 2021; Kennette, L. & Lin, P., 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n\n One study showed that remote work<\/a> results in an increase in productivity by 13%, including more minutes worked per shift and fewer use of breaks and sick days. When workers in this study were offered the choice between working from home and working in the office, productivity rose to 22% (Bloom, et al., 2014).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Long commute times trigger the release of cortisol in the brain, a hormone associated with stress. Not commuting can reduce stress due to savings on transportation costs. <\/p>\n\n\n Not driving to work is financially beneficial as it saves money on fuel, maintenance, and\/or toll costs and fares such as those for taxis and ride-sharing services (Kennette, L. & Lin, P., 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those with no commutes also reap the benefits of additional sleep time which is linked to many health benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Workers with long commutes spend less time working out and enjoying leisure activities. They also have lower mood levels during the workday, more mental health problems, and are less satisfied with their social lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All of these negative outcomes increase in severity when commuting times are longer. Those who cycle to work seem to have the least side effects of this kind, but continue to experience some, and are exposed to other dangers, as can be seen below (Chatterjee, et al., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n Negative outcomes are also reportedly worse for women, although the cause is unclear. One possibility is that women are often responsible for more household duties during commutes, such as picking up children and grocery shopping (Chatterjee, et al., 2020; Roberts et al., 2011). <\/p>\n\n\n\n 27.5 – 46.9% of those who switched to working from home during the pandemic gained weight and a slight increase in pain levels due to inadequate work-related equipment, such as office chairs and desks. <\/p>\n\n\n These increases enforce the need for employers to provide information and opportunities for healthy lifestyles and proper equipment for their remote workers (Guler, et al., 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycling to work has great health benefits but could decrease life expectancy for younger workers (Edwards & Mason, 2014). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fatal accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists account for 16% of all traffic fatalities every year (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2021). In fact, the leading cause of death globally for all people under age 54 is road crashes (Association for Safe International Road Travel, 2022). <\/p>\n\n\n One study showed that commuting to work by cycling for ten years would result in 26 more hospital admittances per 1000 people (Welsh, et al., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the risk to pedestrian and cycling commuters\u2019 involvement in traffic accidents, these commuters are exposed to harmful chemicals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Exposure to these chemicals can cause cancer and non-cancer health risks. The risks are increased the longer a commuter has to travel (Lovett et al., 2018). <\/p>\n\n\n\n 55% of the workers within our organization work either completely online or through a hybrid working environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We sought to investigate how our personnel compared to a random control group with questions about mental health, physical health, and feelings of wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is what we found: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Graphic_01-Option-Work-Home-Vs-Office.png\")
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\n\n\n\nKey Findings:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nRemote work can improve diversity and equity <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nAllowing workers to work from home can help break the glass ceiling<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nRemote workers are more productive<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWorking from home significantly reduces stress<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWorkers with long commutes are less happy and healthy <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nBut remote work does still have some drawbacks<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nThinking of taking up cycling? Maybe think again …<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhen compared with a control group, our workers have lower commutes and are happier and healthier, both physically and mentally<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n
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