Home office study: Less stress, more productivity

Especially in times of the corona virus, working from home has become normal for many companies. According to a study, employees largely benefit from this – but two factors are still neglected.

A study by the research institutes IGES and Forsa, commissioned by the DAK health insurance company , has shown that the stress level for many employees has fallen as a result of the switch from office to home office, while productivity has increased. Employees also had more time for their families.
Of the 7,000 respondents who now regularly work from home, 56 percent said they are more productive working from home than in the office . The study by the mhplus health insurance company, which surveyed 1,500 employees in April, came to a similar conclusion. Of the employees who have been working from home since the outbreak of the corona virus , 60 percent felt increased productivity .

Work and career can be better reconciled

In the DAK study, the study participants explained that they can better combine career and work because, among other things, they no longer have time to commute to the office . This also reduced the stress level of those surveyed to 15 percent. Before the pandemic, 21 percent felt stressed.

School and daycare closures, as well as separation between job and private life as a stress factor

However, the switch from office to home office did not have advantages for everyone. Due to the school and day care center closures, the children had to be looked after and schooled during working hours. The University of Bamberg found out that parents said they were more often at the end of their strength and felt even more stressed.
The studies also found that around every second person misses the clear separation between work and private life. The lack of contact with colleagues was also a problem for three quarters of those surveyed.

Home office is still ahead

The study by the mhplus health insurance company and the SDK Süddeutsche Krankenversicherung showed that 65 percent would rather work from home than in the office. 72 percent of employees who were already working from home before the pandemic found it better at home – among newcomers it was 52 percent.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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