Going into the office three or four times a week is sweet-spot for wellbeing

There is a strong positive correlation between how frequently employees attend their workplace and their overall wellbeing, a new study has revealed.

An independent, nationally representative survey of 1,210 UK employees, commissioned by infinitSpace, quizzed remote, hybrid and fully in-office workers about their wellbeing.

In the same week that Lord Rose, the former boss of Marks and Spencer and Asda, said that working from home is producing a generation who are "not doing proper work", infinitSpace's research found that hybrid workers who attend the office one or two days per week were least likely to self-report “great” or “good” wellbeing, with 50 per cent saying they had a positive physical wellbeing and the same number (50 per cent) a positive mental wellbeing.

By contrast, those who go to their workplace on average three or four days per week report the highest levels of wellbeing, with 60 per cent experiencing great or good physical wellbeing and 61 per cent saying the same about their mental wellbeing.

Those attending the office every day report slightly lower but comparable wellbeing levels to those attending three or four days a week, with 59 per cent indicating good physical wellbeing and 57 per cent experiencing good mental wellbeing.

The type of workspace also plays a role in wellbeing outcomes. Employees working in flexible workspaces report higher levels of wellbeing, with 60 per cent experiencing good physical and mental wellbeing. In comparison, employees in traditional private or serviced offices report slightly lower levels, with 56 per cent indicating good physical wellbeing and 55 per cent reporting good mental wellbeing.

“While attendance policies should remain flexible to meet diverse business and employee needs, it’s important that we don’t overlook the relationship between going to a workplace and one’s wellbeing," said Wybo Wijnbergen, CEO of infinitSpace. "The research shows that opportunities for social interaction, a sense of community, and regular access to thoughtfully designed spaces can profoundly impact our overall wellbeing.

“More than just somewhere to collaborate or be productive, by having the workplaces, organisations can play a meaningful role in boosting the overall health and happiness of their employees. And if smart leaders want engaged, productive teams, fostering wellbeing and providing a workspace their staff want to visit must remain a key focus.”