Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
The workplace has undergone a rapid and dramatic transformation, leaving virtually no working professional untouched.
To gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape and the perspectives of those navigating it, FlexJobs conducted a Work Insights Survey in the spring of 2023.
From May 3 to May 21, 2023, FlexJobs gathered responses from over 5,600 working professionals.
The survey inquired about the impact of recent workforce changes on mental health and explored attitudes toward remote work. This helped identify common challenges and professionals’ outlooks on their careers.
Mental Health and the Workplace
One of the more positive ways the workplace has changed is by focusing more on mental health. Through the survey, working professionals shared their perspectives on how different working arrangements and commuting affects their mental health.
They also stated the many benefits experienced through remote work.
The biggest takeaway: 56{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} said having a remote job has improved or would “definitely” improve their mental health.
Working Arrangements Impact Mental Health
When and where people get their work done has a significant impact on their well-being and personal productivity levels.
This was made clear by 96{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} of respondents sharing that a remote or hybrid working arrangement would best support their mental health.
The following is a breakdown of where respondents cited their mental health as being best supported.
- 47{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Remote only/completely working from home
- 24{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Hybrid/mostly remote (occasional in-office)
- 17{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Hybrid/remote (two to three days in-office)
- 8{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Hybrid/mostly in-office (occasional remote)
- 4{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} In-office/no remote work
Commuting Impacts Stress Levels
Commuting is a huge stressor for most working professionals, with 87{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} of respondents stating commuting impacts their stress levels to some degree. And the longer the commute, the more impact it has.
Here’s a snapshot of the impact commuting has on mental health and stress levels:
- 29{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Impacts stress levels enormously
- 29{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Impacts stress levels a lot
- 29{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Impacts stress levels a little
- 13{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Doesn’t impact stress levels
Notable Health Benefits of Remote Work
Working remotely has been shown to deliver a range of positive effects for workers, including health benefits. While decreased stress was the top health benefit of working remotely (48{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}), there are several others that survey respondents cited.
Here are the other top benefits reported.
- 36{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Less burnout
- 35{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Healthier food choices
- 34{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Reduced anxiety and depression
- 33{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Improved overall mental health
- 32{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Improved sleep
- 30{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Increased exercise
- 28{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Improved overall physical health
- 23{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Improved personal relationships
Impacts of Remote Work
Remote work has long been coveted in the workplace. As it has become more widely accepted by employers, more and more professionals are looking to work remotely in some capacity.
The following is a bit of what was learned through the survey responses.
Ideal Work Environment
It’s no secret that remote work is popular with working professionals. Overall, 95{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} of workers want some form of remote work, whether hybrid or fully remote.
It’s also no surprise that more women (58{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}) than men (42{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}) prefer fully remote work environments. The data below breaks it down more specifically.
- 54{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Want to work fully remote
- 41{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Want hybrid arrangements
- 5{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Want to work in-office full-time
Positive Impact on Career Progression
Career progression concerns most professionals, with many thinking that remote work has a more significant (more negative) impact on the ability to grow a career.
However, the data shows the opposite. Overall, working professionals see remote work as positively impacting their career development.
- 30{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Positive impact on career progression
- 28{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} No impact on career progression
- 22{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Unsure of impact
- 20{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Negative impact on career progression
Collaboration Impacts Vary
There’s no shortage of commentary on collaboration and remote work. And while the survey found some concern, overall, most people (52{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}) believe that remote work has no impact or a positive impact on collaboration.
There was also a difference in views between men and women, with more men (41{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}) saying collaboration was negatively impacted vs women (34{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}). Here’s the whole picture:
- 36{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Collaboration suffers
- 33{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} No impact
- 19{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Collaboration improves
- 12{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Unsure
Workforce Challenges and Career Outlook
Through the survey, working professionals also shared some of their challenges and outlooks on the future of their careers.
While challenges are present, overall, the outlook is positive.
Remote Work Challenges
While most people believe that productivity is a challenge when working remotely, the real culprit is the ability or willpower to stop working at the end of the day.
Here’s an overview of the biggest struggles that remote and hybrid workers face:
- 28{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Not getting out often enough
- 28{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Overworking/working more
- 19{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Working across time zones
- 19{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Developing strong relationships at work
- 18{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Troubleshooting technology issues
- 17{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Dealing with non-work distractions
- 16{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Being “invisible” to the boss
Pay Transparency Frustration
Common feedback given by job seekers often touches on the need for salary to be included in job descriptions. While laws are being developed and implemented to help workers, frustration remains high.
Below is what people think about pay transparency and how it affects their decision-making.
When asked whether salary should be required by law in job descriptions:
- 79{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Salary should be required in job descriptions
- 11{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Salary should not be required
- 10{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} Not sure if salary should be required
With such high demand for salaries to be listed, it is no surprise that 20{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} of respondents outright refuse to apply when salary is not listed. Additionally, 52{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} will only apply to a job without a listed salary if the job is considered “really great.”
Optimistic Career Outlook
Although challenges persist in the workforce, there’s an upward trend regarding career optimism. When asked about their career prospects now compared to the same time a year ago, respondents shared the following:
- 44{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} More optimistic about career prospects
- 33{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} More pessimistic about career prospects
- 23{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} No change from previous year
The Work Insights Survey provided valuable insights into the changing landscape of the workplace and the experiences of working professionals.
Remote work has had a positive impact on mental health, with a significant majority of people feeling supported and successful working in some form of remote job.
While challenges exist, the overall outlook of professionals has become more optimistic. And while the workplace continues to evolve, working professionals have more control and sway over their career prospects.