Survey shows UK remote workers face high productivity anxiety

A recent survey conducted by Workhuman has highlighted significant disparities in productivity and well-being among UK employees based on their working environments.

The findings indicate that while a majority of employees—61%—report increased productivity when working remotely, nearly two-thirds of these fully remote workers experience what has been termed "productivity anxiety".

The survey, part of Workhuman's Human Workplace Index, revealed that among those experiencing this productivity anxiety, one in four often feels inadequate or under constant pressure to perform. Niamh Graham, Senior Vice President of Global Human Experience at Workhuman, noted, “As work practices continue to evolve from the traditional 9-to-5 office model, it's understandable that employees may feel increasingly anxious about their performance and how it’s being perceived.”

In contrast, employees working entirely in-office reported the lowest levels of productivity anxiety and higher motivation compared to their remote counterparts. The data also indicated that fully remote employees were 69% more likely to feel bored while working than those based entirely in offices. Interestingly, hybrid workers, who split their time between home and office, reported 31% less burnout than those who were always in the office.

When it comes to workplace well-being, an overwhelming 86% of respondents cited work-life balance as the most vital aspect. Despite this prioritisation, the high levels of productivity anxiety among remote workers show a misalignment between company well-being initiatives and employee needs. To address this, the survey suggests that workplace recognition and timely feedback are critical. Nearly 60% of employees identified recognition for their work as the most effective way to reduce productivity anxiety, with 42% valuing frequent feedback from managers and colleagues.

Niamh Graham emphasised the importance of managerial support for remote employees, stating, "Our research shows that people working remotely are feeling more anxious about their productivity than their in-office counterparts. Employees are asking for clearer communication and acknowledgement for their contributions. Having a culture that supports recognition can help with that, as it not only reduces negative experiences but also enhances positive ones, particularly for remote employees who may feel more pressure to demonstrate they are productive while working from home.”

Despite the high reported productivity of remote work, nearly half of the surveyed employees—48%—are still working five days a week in the office. Yet, 56% of respondents believe they could perform their jobs remotely at least part of the time. This indicates a significant gap between current work arrangements and employees' perceptions of optimal working conditions.

The survey was conducted by Pollfish and involved 1,000 full-time employees across the UK, aiming to gauge sentiment, productivity, and well-being in contemporary work settings. The findings call for companies to reassess their strategies to support employee well-being better, particularly for those in remote or hybrid roles, to align with the evolving dynamics of modern work practices.