Hybrid Working is Good for Your Health: International Workplace Group Study Looks at the Impact on Employee Wellbeing in 2025
More than three-quarters (79%) of workers say their overall wellbeing has significantly improved due to greater flexibility and control over their working styles
The study also revealed nearly two thirds (64%) of workers reported improved physical health, with more time for physical exercise, preparing healthier meals and better-quality sleep
Seventy per cent of workers said returning to a central office five days a week would negatively affect their wellbeing.
Majority (86%) of HR leaders believe hybrid work is now one of the most in-demand employee wellness benefits.
TORONTO: As many people kick off 2025 with resolutions for a healthier year ahead, a new study by International Workplace Group has revealed a clear correlation between the adoption of hybrid working policies and improved employee wellbeing.
Research carried out by the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands including Spaces and Regus examined the impact that hybrid working has had on the mental and physical health of more than 1,000 hybrid workers.
Nearly four out of five workers (79%) said that their overall wellbeing had significantly improved due to the greater flexibility offered by hybrid working. The widespread uptake of hybrid working globally has seen increasing numbers of workers splitting their time between a local workspace, home and a city centre HQ, which has dramatically reduced time spent commuting and enabled a greater focus on wellbeing amongst workers that were previously not able to prioritise their health in the same way.
Sixty-four per cent said their physical health has improved due to hybrid work, with benefits including being able to do more physical exercise (57%) and take time for healthier meal preparation (57%). Hybrid workers also felt better rested (78%) as they enjoyed improved quality of sleep (65%).
This study further supports previous research by International Workplace Group that found that the average hybrid worker is now getting 3.9 hours of exercise a week, compared to 3.2 hours before the pandemic, and an extra 73 hours of sleep per year, or just over 6 hours per month. **
Businesses are complementing the physical health benefits offered by hybrid working with benefits which promote improved wellbeing including ergonomic desk and chair (28%), access to mental health support services and counselling (27%), and bonus holidays (24%) which includes summer hours and early finishes.
With more flexibility over when, where and how they work, 69 per cent of workers say hybrid working has led to a better work-life balance while over three quarters (77%) felt an overall reduction in their stress levels. These factors have contributed to a happier, healthier workforce with seventy-night per cent of workers reporting improved mental health since moving to a hybrid model.
"Amid the wave of New Year's resolutions geared towards a healthier lifestyle, the flexibility in work arrangements and reduced commuting time allows individuals to prioritize their physical and mental well-being,” said Terri Pozniak, EVP, Country Manager Canada, International Workplace Group PLC. “With improved sleep patterns and more opportunities for physical exercise, embracing hybrid working is not just a strategic business move but a significant step towards fostering a healthier and happier work environment."
Given the positive impact of hybrid working on workers’ mental and physical health, it is unsurprising that 70 per cent said returning to a central office five days a week would negatively affect their wellbeing.
The study also suggests this could impact business productivity. Nearly three quarters (72%) of workers said they were more productive when working in a hybrid model, while sixty-nine per cent reported being more motivated. A majority (84%) of employees said that hybrid work had actually improved their job satisfaction.
"Hybrid working offers a balanced approach between office and home, work and life,” said Pozniak. “By embracing a flexible working model, the lives of employees are significantly improved. For employers, they have a more productive workforce and are able to attract and retain the top talent, which ultimately drives an organizations competitiveness in the market."
To meet the growing demand for hybrid working, International Workplace Group added 465 new global locations in the first half of 2024 alone.
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Notes to editors
Mortar Research surveyed 1,013 Canadians over the age of 18 who work in a flexible, hybrid environment. The survey ran August 16-19, 2024.
Mortar Research is Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines.
** This study was conducted by Mortar Research among a nationally representative sample of 18-64 year-old hybrid office workers in Canada. This survey was completed by 1,006 respondents who worked predominantly from a central office or company pre-2020 and now working in a hybrid way. The study ran between March 31 – April 11, 2023, in English and French.
About International Workplace Group PLC
International Workplace Group is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organizations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of International Workplace Group’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.
International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the International Workplace Group app.