Can Flexible Working Make Teams Feel Less Stressed?

The way we work has completely changed – and so have peoples’ stress levels. Data from the UK’s Opinions and Lifestyle Survey found 44% of workers said that they worked from home or as part of a hybrid model within a week. For many of these workers, engaging in a hybrid routine has boosted their happiness, with a Flexjobs study revealing up to 80% of people feel that working more flexibly helps their mental health. The big question: does flexible working actually improve employees' mental health? And is there data to back this intriguing claim?

Today’s Workers: More Stressed Than Ever?

New studies suggest that flexible work can lead to less burnout, stress, and anxiety. Burnout has been a big focus for employers recently, especially in a post-pandemic workforce where mental wellbeing is more top of mind. A Gallup survey unveiled that burned-out staff are 63% more likely to take sick days, and over 2.5x more likely to look for a different job – not great statistics for companies looking to retain workers.

In case you’re not familiar with burnout, it’s a chronic state of stress that comes from exposure to demanding situations, often in relation to work. Burnout can cause people to feel disconnected and cynical about their jobs, which is obviously a huge concern for managers.

What is Flexible Work?

Flexible work and remote work aren’t the same thing. Broadly speaking, flexible work is a work structure that doesn’t rely on working a traditional 9-to-5 schedule in an office-based environment.

Flexible work can involve a hybrid schedule, where the worker decides when and where they work, sometimes including days spent in an office. Or, flexible work could grant workers perks like flexi-time, job sharing, or compressed work weeks – like the increasingly trendy four-day work week.

The core idea behind flexible working is that it acknowledges everyone's circumstances are personalized. By letting people work more flexibly, companies set the tone for establishing a healthier work-life balance.

A smarter working world awaits

Whether you’re a startup ready to grow, an established business refining your hybrid strategy, or an individual seeking a professional place to meet and collaborate, flexible working is your partner in navigating the future of work.

With access to more adaptable work environments across the globe, flexible work connects people and places at a truly global scale.

Together, we can redefine what’s possible and create a smarter, more sustainable working world.

Is Flexible Work the Answer to Improving Wellbeing?

In general, people want to be more in control of their lives. They want to have more say in where they spend their time, how they work, and exercise freedom and flexibility when they need it.

A study by Effectory showed 80% of people become more engaged when given autonomy at work, feeling more positive when they feel like they're trusted to do their jobs in a way that works for them.

Flexible work has been linked to measurable improvements in wellbeing as well as benefits to your business. This includes increased engagement and productivity to reduced levels of absenteeism and positivity.

Let's take a closer look at how flexible working can affect employee wellbeing.

Decreased Stress

Research from HSE states 44% of people say their workload is a major cause of work-related stress. Flexible work reduces stress levels by letting people work on tasks when they feel most productive and tuned in. By letting people work at their own pace, they can achieve more while experiencing less stress caused by work.

Further, 50% of surveyed professionals in the US said commuting to work contributes to elevated stress levels. Getting stuck in traffic, heading onto a cramped train, or missing the bus can all mean a stressful start (or end) to the day. A flexible schedule alleviates these daily annoyances, resulting in happier pre and after-work routines that boost wellness.

This could include having more time to go to the gym, take on a lunchtime yoga session, go for a walk, or simply get ready for work without feeling pressure. It can help with financial stress, too; off-peak travel, fewer days commuting, and the time to make healthy, nutritious meals for less can also lead to greater financial and physical health.

Improved Engagement

When employees feel more engaged with their work, they tend to feel more connected with what they’re doing and happier in their roles.

A poor work-life balance and too much repetitive work can make people feel majorly unmotivated. Data from Cisco reveals 79% of people believe their flexible schedules positively impact their work-life balance, with 55% saying flexibility at work reduces their stress levels.

Research also shows that when employees are given more time to invest in their own wellness, they’re less likely to experience high levels of stress. Only 30% of people in a recent Gallup survey claiming to be engaged at work reported high levels of daily stress, compared to 41% and 56% of not engaged and actively disengaged employees.

Less Absenteeism

The CIPD has reported that in the UK, the average rate of employee absence now stands at 7.8 days per year, but workers experiencing poor mental health often take more days off than this. The World Health Organization considers some of the most common risks to mental health at work to include excessive workloads, inflexible hours, and a lack of professional autonomy — three things that flexible working can eliminate.

With 43% of people surveyed by Gallup claiming that having a flexible schedule improved their productivity, this type of boosted engagement can contribute to a potential 41% reduction in absenteeism. Ensuring people are more present at work is a win for team building and productivity, as well as a win for engaged and happy people.

Reduced Anxiety

Offering employees the chance to work within flexible arrangements has been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. According to Dr. Paul Daidone, Medical Director at True Self Recovery, “By allowing staff to adapt their routines around their own mental health requirements, people are able to devote more time towards frequent self-care and wellness activities. This, in turn, promotes a more positive professional culture.”

Jennifer Worley, LMFT at First Light Recovery adds, “Strict deadlines and the pressure to perform within rigid timeframes can cause a significant increase in feelings of anxiety, as can a perceived lack of control with regards to a person’s daily routine.” However, flexible workers are able to address these issues as they see fit, with 66% of those involved in one flexible work trial believing more flexibility can improve mental health.

With flexible work becoming way more common, people are starting to understand just how beneficial it can be. From improvements to wellbeing to productivity, giving workers more freedom and autonomy can help to create a healthier workplace. It can also support a better work-life balance across the board.

When it comes to flexible working, trust and communication must be part of the process. Workers need to be able to choose workspaces that allow them to do their best work — which in turn will boost their wellbeing, productivity, and overall happiness.