IWG companyis the world's largest provider of flexible workspace and hybrid work solutions with brands such as Regus and Spaces. IWG 2024 US Hybrid & Healthy Lifestyle Survey, This revealed that hybrid work enabled most (90%) workers to focus on physical fitness more regularly. Four in five say hybrid work allows them to live a healthier lifestyle, and nearly as many (79%) say the flexibility of hybrid work supports their fitness goals.
Long commutes are often a barrier to exercise. Research shows that hybrid work saves employees an average of 53 minutes per day, and most (90%) spend the time they save working from home working out.
More than half (59%) of hybrid workers believe their daily commute to a city center office or workplace will be longer, negatively impacting their physical fitness and exercise habits.
Almost two-thirds (61%) of hybrid workers currently feel that their commute is negatively impacting their ability to work out. Among this group, 7 in 10 (69%) say a 15-minute commute would improve their ability to work out or exercise regularly.
Mark Dixon, CEO and Founder of IWG, said: “Countless studies have shown that it has the power to make employees happier and healthier, increase productivity, and generate significant cost savings. For many employers, employee health and well-being are continues to be a top priority, enabling employees to improve their quality of life by reducing their daily commute and prioritizing fitness by freeing up time saved for more physical activity. That’s a win. A win situation.”
Other highlights of the study include:
- Most hybrid workers (83%) feel that the flexibility of hybrid work allows them to prioritize their happiness and health.
- More than four in five workers (85%) feel that working out regularly makes them more productive and focused at work.
- If given the opportunity to commute 15 minutes to work, hybrid workers would consider biking (41%) or walking (37%) to work, unless they were driving or taking public transportation.
- Cycling to work is even more popular among younger generations, with half (50%) of hybrid workers saying they would consider cycling to work if given the opportunity.
- Almost half (46%) of urban hybrid workers say they would bike to work if given the opportunity to commute 15 minutes.
- Almost a quarter (21%) of hybrid workers aged 18 to 24 run to work every chance they get, while almost half (45%) of urban hybrid workers walk to work.
- More than seven in 10 (72%) hybrid workers say they consider the ability to exercise regularly when looking for a new job.
- Three in five (60%) hybrid workers claim they consider a prospective employer's perspective on fitness adoption when looking for a new job.
“Hybrid work will continue to play an important role in talent retention and attraction as workers continue to prioritize flexibility and their health when considering new work opportunities,” Dixon said. “Companies that recognize and respond to employee needs are better able to attract and retain key talent over the long term.”
In addition to supporting employee fitness routines, hybrid work models have been shown to provide additional benefits for both companies and employees. Another of his IWG surveys found that the majority (89%) of U.S. CEOs with hybrid work arrangements realized cost savings as a direct result of hybrid work. In the same study, nearly three-quarters (72%) of CEOs also mentioned improved employee happiness, two-thirds (63%) reported increased employee productivity, and More than half (59%) say employee retention and attraction have improved.
Additionally, IWG research in partnership with Arup demonstrated that hybrid work, driven by changes in working patterns, brings benefits to local economies, including bringing additional jobs to commuter towns and increasing spending.
