“The key is a true mediation policy.”

More than 3.3 million people in Spain occasionally or frequently work from home, according to the latest data from the Active Population Survey (INE). That means just over 15% of the employed workforce is working from home. These data are lower than in 2020, but indicate a rebound when compared to 2023.

This way of working has continued since the pandemic forced thousands of people to stay home. What was previously considered a privilege or exceptional situation was primarily reserved for people who: freelancerTechnical professionals and freelancers have become commonplace. While it’s true that it has evolved over the past five years, some companies have brought employees back to the office, others have embraced flexibility, and many others are in the middle of a tug-of-war between what they want and what they do.

Recent research from the University of South Australia shows that organizational behavior journal observed people who telework over a four-year period and concluded that telecommuting leads to a greater sense of well-being. According to this study, remote work significantly improves work-life balance.

Telework and happiness: Will it become a reality or just a passing headline?

This conclusion is supported by hard data, real-world information and, most importantly, the experience of millions of workers who have transitioned from 9-to-5 offices to flexible work from home. “These studies confirm what we already intuit from psychology: that telecommuting gives you more autonomy and a sense of control. Ultimately, telecommuting allows you to decide how you manage your work and organize your tasks and priorities, which increases your sense of self-efficacy,” confirms psychologist Sara Montejano Martín.

Much of the increased happiness of telecommuters comes from the fact that telecommuting eliminates the need for long journeys and hours spent on crowded public transport, which is not only time-consuming but also contributes to stress, fatigue, and poor mental health.

Research shows that by reducing or minimizing travel, remote workers can get about 30 minutes of sleep each night, and while this number may seem like a small amount, it can add up to thousands of hours of rest per year.

For Montejano, it is a factor that increases happiness because it allows for harmony with other aspects of life. “We must not forget that due to distances, traffic jams and other circumstances, it sometimes takes many hours to travel to and from work. Investing that time in the development of other aspects of life will significantly increase our sense of well-being,” says the psychologist.

What do people do with this time gained from transportation? The study found that this time is divided between catching up on work, spending more time with family, and participating in leisure activities.

productivity issues

One of the concerns companies have is productivity. Will this continue when bosses aren’t monitoring and controlling? Australian research provides a reassuring answer: productivity increases, not decreases, when workers have the option to work remotely. Importantly, voluntary flexible working has a greater impact on job satisfaction and concentration compared to mandatory telecommuting. According to this study, 35% to 40% of remote workers are more productive and make fewer mistakes.

As Montejano points out, this perception of one’s work ability increases happiness. With fewer distractions and interruptions than in the office, “tasks that require concentration can be performed more effectively and quickly, increasing your perception of your work ability.”

Small details can add to this feeling of well-being. As Montejano points out, a factor we often ignore is that “each of us can adjust our work environment to suit our needs. For example, we can set the temperature to what’s comfortable for us, but this is complicated by the fact that in an office we have to suffer from cold or heat depending on where we sit. We can also set the lighting to our liking, or set the music or other work environments to make us more comfortable.”

Does telework increase workers’ psychological wages?

While financial pay is usually the most motivating factor when it comes to work, it is the clearest route to professional growth, and changing jobs is often the quickest way to achieve it, but it is not the only one. There is a concept called emotional paycheckthe rules of the game have changed a bit to offer more than just a paycheck.

“These are all non-financial benefits of work that increase satisfaction, well-being, and well-being,” Montejano says, adding, “With all the benefits we’ve seen so far, telecommuting will be a spiritual paycheck for many people.”

For Montejano, emotional pay can include a positive work environment with healthy relationships, respect both upward and downward, recognition for accomplishments and efforts, and opportunities for growth and professional development within the company.

“An important part of the spiritual salary lies in the actual reconciliation policy, which means that the company provides the means to reconcile work with personal and family life,” Montejano clarifies.

B-side of telework

But while the benefits of remote work are well-documented, they’re not the only benefits when talking about remote work. As with all things, it also has its less friendly sides. To begin with, the lines between home and work are blurred, which can make it difficult to separate them. “You can make the mistake of not setting boundaries between work and personal life. For me, this is the biggest risk because work can ‘intrude’ into your home,” Montejano warns.

According to the psychologist, “Without clear separation, people are more likely to respond to emails at odd hours or take longer to complete their tasks, creating a sense that work is not getting done and can lead to burnout.”

“Disconnecting from work is more difficult, especially considering it’s a form of associative learning, which means our brains connect environments and environments to our actions. The environment is somehow a cue for the brain to function. If the dining room table is our office, it’s more difficult for the brain to ‘switch off’ from work mode,” Montejano clarifies.

However, there are further disadvantages. Working from home can often be a lonely and isolating experience, and many people may feel isolated because they can’t chat over coffee breaks or build relationships with colleagues. “We naturally lose our social connections. There are moments of natural social connection in the office, but with remote work you lose it,” Montejano acknowledges.

Can anyone telework?

“Not everyone is naturally prepared to work remotely and benefit from it,” Montejano says. Many people find themselves needing direct contact with colleagues and creating a clear separation between work and home. To enjoy all the benefits of this type of work, professionals must meet a series of requirements listed below.

A final message from the Australian researchers points out that giving workers the flexibility to choose to work from home has benefits for their physical and mental health, so rather than choosing between the office and working from home, it is important to integrate the two options.