Home workers are happier and healthier

Working from home can increase employee happiness and improve the workforce’s health, new research suggests

A survey of 1,096 British workers, including both home workers and those who work from their employers’ premises, carried out by CartridgePeople.com and published in the SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) Workers Report, revealed the majority of workers (60%) feel happier when working from home.

Contrary to popular belief, of the 30.5% of British employees who work from home every day, 86% said that working remotely from home ‘never’ makes them feel lonely despite being separated from colleagues and spending hours in isolation.

According to the data, home workers are not only happier but they are also healthier than their workplace-based counterparts – taking an average of 2.4 sick days per year, in comparison to the 2.6 taken by those working from company premises.

The data found home workers experience a better work/life balance, as 1 in 4 say the flexibility of working from home allows them to work around their friends and family.

Andrew Davies, spokesperson for CartridgePeople.com, commented:

“Our research has identified that allowing staff to work from home carries many benefits for employers, and as such, when employees request this, companies should consider the positive effects it can have.

“It’s particularly interesting to see how many home workers feel they have a better work/life balance than those who are based in the office, and that they very rarely feel lonely – a common misconception, as many people presume spending so much time alone would have this effect.

“There are also financial benefits to allowing workers to work from home. Research by PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that sick leave costs employers £29 billion each year, but as we’ve seen, the research shows home workers take fewer sick days, which could reduce the cost to employers.”

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