Addressing the health-related downsides of working from home

Working from home took on new meaning in 2020, as millions of office-based employees and contractors traded hours-long commutes for short walks between the bedroom and kitchen table — or, in the best cases, a dedicated home office.

Upsides to this COVID-induced necessity were plentiful: working from home enabled many individuals to spend more time with their families, take care of personal errands during business hours, and pursue their outside interests. While the transition to work-at-home life was stressful for many workers — like parents, who struggled to balance the demands of childrearing with work deadlines and to-do lists — many Americans came to prefer life at home, clocking into the “office” in the most convenient way possible.

But research suggests there may also be some downsides to remote working, especially when it comes to worker health.

A December 2020 Pew Research survey of more than 10,000 working Americans identified significant health problems resulting from telework during the pandemic. Respondents reported:

• Feeling less connected to colleagues (67%)
• Taking less exercise (46%)
• Developing musculoskeletal problems (39%)
• Poor sleep (37%)
• Difficulties feeling motivated to work (36%)

These are important data to consider, as the emergence of the Delta variant has curtailed organizations’ “back to work” plans, and employers must now address how remote workers can continue telecommuting full time or on a hybrid basis without compromising their health.

Yet despite these drawbacks, many Americans are still clamoring to stay home. A recent survey of millennial women (defined as ages 25-40) revealed that more than one in five (22%) said they would no longer consider working for an employer if work at home wasn’t an option.

Insights into work-from-home health challenges

Because of remote work’s popularity, employers may be surprised by the health problems connected to working from home. As studies suggest, these range from the physical, such as lower back pain, to the mental, such as depression and anxiety.

Data also suggest these challenges are more pronounced for individuals who are new to remote work. As the Pew survey noted, a vast majority (67%) of those who worked in an office prior to the pandemic felt “less connected” to coworkers, yet just 27% of those who were already working from home pre-pandemic reported the same feelings.

Some of the health problems come from inadequate work-at-home ergonomic conditions: according to a June 2020 survey of 900 employees working from home, 46% said they are camped out in shared living spaces like their dining room, living room, bedroom, or even laundry room. Meanwhile, fewer than half (48%) say they have a comfortable desk chair that supports their back.

Staying connected, productive and engaged

So, what can employers do to provide their best support tools? Is it truly possible for workers to safely continue to stay home without compromising health?

The answer to these questions is “yes” — with a few caveats. Here are five best practices employers can leverage to optimize health and wellness for their remote workforce:

1. Ensure employees are well-versed with their health benefits. In a recent interview with SHRM, insurance brokerage experts noted that the rise of remote work has led to some individuals moving states without informing their employers. This has a ripple effect: if an employee is enrolled in a health plan with steep out-of-network charges, their medical bills for routine care could skyrocket. To alleviate surprises, benefits managers need to be clear and transparent with employees about health plan coverage. They may also consider contracting with a more flexible health plan, or one with expansive telemedicine benefits, in the future.
2.  Keep regular virtual meetings on the calendar. Zoom calls flourished during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Considering so many previously office-based workers are now opting to stay home, they should stay on the calendar. Regular face time between home-based workers and managerial staff provide much-needed interactions that can offset feelings of isolation and loneliness.
3.  Improve access to preventive health care at home. Chronic disease levels remain high in the U.S. According to a recent estimate, 44% of older millennials born between 1981 and 1988 live with at least one chronic health condition. Many working Americans aren’t engaging in preventive care or routine check-ups, citing reasons such as “lack of time.” Employers can address this dynamic by making preventive care more convenient and accessible. One easy, cost-effective way to do this is to send remote workers home-based health testing kits. These out-of-box kits enable consumers to regularly check cholesterol levels, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose and other metrics in minutes. Some kits can even be paired with an accompanying smartphone app to track health and measure progress.
4. Address ergonomic barriers to optimal working conditions. A survey of 900 US full-time and part-time workers showed that 45% of respondents reported experiencing back and joint pain since they started working from home, while 71% said the pain has either gotten worse or it’s a new pain they’re experiencing since working from home. This suggests that workers could use a little help in selecting physically supportive chairs and desks. Consider Google’s approach: In 2020, the organization reportedly provided stipends of up to $1,000 for employees to purchase work-at-home gear.
5. Promote sleep health and regular exercise. A well-rested and fit remote worker is more productive and satisfied than an exhausted one. Consider new ways of encouraging workers to improve both their sleep quality and their fitness. Sending employees their own smartwatches or fitness trackers, for example, can encourage them to keep tabs on exercise and sleep quality. The right rewards programs, too, can also incentivize workers to partake in fitness challenges and health assessments.

Working from home is no longer a special perk leveraged by employers that want to appear uniquely flexible. It’s a trend that organizations must embrace from this point forward and benefits plans should change as a result.

Healthy workers are happy workers: An employer that designs benefits and services that are health-centered will be rewarded with the happiest and most productive workforce, and an organization that the best and brightest are clamoring to join.

Travis Rush is the CEO and cofounder of Reperio Health.