Employees under the age of 35 are more likely than older staff to recognise the benefits of being in the office, according to research by healthcare provider Vitality.
Its Britain’s healthiest workplace report found that 61% of respondents aged under 35 believe the social elements of working in an office are good for their health, compared to 49% of those over the age of 55.
Furthermore, 60% of staff aged under 35 feel they have better access to learning and development opportunities when working in person, compared to 45% of those over 55, while 48% of under 35s feel isolated from colleagues when they work from home, compared to just 31% of those aged over 55. Employees under the age of 35 were found to be 63% more likely to suffer from depression compared to older employees, and 15% more likely to suffer from burnout.
More than half (55%) believe they are more active when in a workplace environment, and 41% say they are less active when working from home.
Three-quarters (73%) believe all employers should offer flexible-working options, while 61% think they would be more productive if they had greater control over their working hours. Despite some employees reporting being more productive when at home, 41% of managers and senior staff perceived them to be less productive or available.
Neville Koopowitz, chief executive officer of Vitality, said: “Our research lays bare the undeniable link between health and productivity in the UK. The data points to the complexity of the challenges facing UK employers, but what is clear is that the prioritisation of employee wellbeing is key to unlocking productivity and driving economic success.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Organisations need to take the time to truly understand their workforce and adapt to the evolving needs of employees; whether that’s through targeted health strategies, access to mental health support, or working flexibility. By embedding employee health and wellbeing into the fabric of workplace policies, individuals, businesses and the wider economy stand to gain significantly.”
