Working from home has become a common practice in the post-pandemic world, and a recent review of academic literature has revealed both the positive and negative health impacts associated with remote work.

The review, which considered 1,930 academic papers on home working, teleworking, and other types of hybrid and home working, found that remote workers experience benefits such as improved eating habits, reduced stress, and lower blood pressure. However, it also highlighted some downsides, including increased snacking, higher alcohol and tobacco consumption, and weight gain.

Contrary to the belief that remote workers are lazy, the study found that they are less likely to take sick leave, often work longer hours, and frequently work during evenings and weekends.

Prof Neil Greenberg, a psychiatrist at King’s College London and one of the authors of the study, emphasized the need for organizations and the government to ensure that home working is as effective as office working. He pointed out that the shift to a home working culture requires serious consideration to optimize the working environment and productivity.

The study, published in the Journal of Occupational Health, identified three main themes: the working environment at home, the impact on workers’ lives and careers, and the effect on their health. It revealed that while there are clear benefits to working from home, there are also drawbacks that need to be addressed.

Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of acknowledging the complexities of remote work and the need to support and optimize the home working environment for the well-being of employees.