Mental health in the workplace is often overlooked, but should be taken as seriously as physical wellbeing. The CDC notes that 1 in 5 American adults experience mental health problems, with 71% reporting at least one symptom of stress. The pandemic has certainly not helped matters, which is why it’s extra important that companies and teams prioritize both mental and physical health.
The good news is that hybrid work—a work style that allows employees to blend working from different locations, whether from home, an office or coworking space—can actually benefit your mental health. From reducing stress levels and boosting productivity to encouraging a work/life balance and allowing autonomy, things are definitely looking up.
Reduces stress levels
If you’ve ever had a toxic office environment, you know what we’re getting at here. According to Forbes, 23% of employees report that they work in a toxic workplace and based on an article we found on Built In, 46% of workers say culture is “very important” in deciding whether to accept a job offer or not. Furthermore, 47% of people looking for another job are doing so because they don’t align with their current company’s culture.
Hybrid work cuts down on stressors relating to time and finances, making it win-win for everyone. Long commutes are less of an issue now, especially when teams have a choice of coworking spaces to work from that are more convenient. The time (and money) they save can be reinvested into themselves, their family life and their personal passions.
Encourages work/life balance
According to a report from Recruitment International, almost one in five people left their previous role because of a poor work-life balance.
When you work from home, the lines between your home life and your office life begin to blur. Studies show that people working from home end up working more hours in the day without being more productive. When you’re working from your kitchen table or even a dedicated desk in your home it can be tough to really ‘turn off’ and disconnect for the evening.
While so many of us love what we do, it’s important to remember that we are more than what we do. Allow time and space to strengthen your personal relationships, practice your other passions or simply take the night off for a good glass of wine and some Netflix.
Prioritizing a work/life balance can benefit your physical health as well. As we noted in this article, one Deskpass member told us that she lost weight from coworking because she packed her lunch, and since she was already making that added effort, she committed to healthier food choices, too. She was grateful for fewer temptations of excessive snacking or ordering takeout like she would at home.
Boosts mood and increases productivity
Working from home is great, but not all the time. Studies have shown that a change in environment can spark creativity, boost motivation and enhance your overall mood. When you’re in a good mood, you tend to do great work.
OWL Labs ran a study on how remote work affects productivity and overall happiness at work. They found that 80% of employees believe being able to continue to work remotely, post pandemic would make them feel like their employer cares about them.
Furthermore, DeskMag found that 71% of people surveyed were more creative and 62% reported that their measure of work improved significantly. Ninety-percent said they felt more confident when coworking.
Allows autonomy
Environment can enhance or detract from doing your best work. At Deskpass, we’ve included filters and ‘moods’ that allow members and teams to curate the best spaces for their particular work styles. It gives you the flexibility to choose a space based on the layout, the location or the overall atmosphere.
A network of coworking spaces like Deskpass allows you to create your work environment, on your terms. In many ways, you can cherry-pick aspects you want and don’t want (a quiet atmosphere, or the place that always stocks your favorite kind of tea). You can even filter spaces based on specific needs, such as a mother's room for breast pumping moms.
Gives access to networking opportunities
Nowadays, most coworking-hosted events are virtual, which makes it easier than ever to connect with people not only in your home city but across the country. Several Deskpass members have mentioned securing more work through coworking. Collaboration with people outside of your industry, who you wouldn’t normally meet is refreshing, and can soon lead to the fusion of new products being formed.
Deskpass member and founder of Greatness Collective, Mike Sherbakov, encourages his clients to add value by connecting with people they find interesting or want to collaborate with. “Email and send them messages on their social media profiles (they’re generally more active on one platform than any other). One meaningful connection could completely change the trajectory of your life or business.”
Bolsters sense of community
With COVID-19, many of us have had to embrace working from home and while it can feel isolating, it’s comforting to know we’re not alone. We’ve all experienced some sort of video call disaster, whether it’s a child participating in conversations or a cat darting across keyboards. It’s funny, awkward, and slightly embarrassing. It’s also human. That’s the beauty of hybrid work—it serves as a reminder that we are more than what we do.
How Each Office Role Benefits from Hybrid Work
The HR Manager
Among the many responsibilities of an HR Manager is employee satisfaction. They are there to make sure staff feel supported and heard and will intervene if/when necessary. The variety of working environments that coworking provides can really boost an employee’s overall mood, productivity and pride in their work. There are also virtual networking opportunities with professionals across multiple industries.
The Hiring Team
Serving and supporting a diverse workforce starts with recruitment. As Job van der Voort, CEO and co-founder of Remote notes, “if you no longer hire from just one part of the world, but anywhere, it’s actually easier to build more diverse organizations, because the talent pool is far greater.” Having a diverse group of voices in your organization can lead to better brainstorming and collaboration. (source: Fast Company)
The Team Member
Diversity extends beyond ‘where’ your work; it’s also about ‘how’ you work. According to GWA, 95% of employers say remote work has a high impact on employee retention, and 36% of employees would choose it over a pay raise. Millennials, for example, typically aren’t as drawn to the traditional 9-to-5 workweek and place higher value on flexibility and freedom around where and when they work.
The Contractor / Freelancer
Even before COVID-19, many independent contractors and freelancers worked remote. Hybrid work offers them the flexibility to work where and when they choose, whether it’s in a sun-drenched communal area or a sound-proof phone booth. Those who travel for work also have the option to work from spaces in whatever city they are in that week. Freelancers value flexibility at a fixed rate, both of which Deskpass offers.
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