New research finds that hybrid working has the potential to make jobs healthier and more accessible, and that almost half of people would only consider jobs that allow them to work at home some of the time. However, the research warns, young people in particular need extra support to prevent unintended consequences for their physical and mental health.

The new report, released by Learning and Work Institute (L&W) and commissioned by Health Equals, draws on a representative survey of over 2,000 working adults to capture the latest insights on home and hybrid working in the UK. It comes as the Government’s Employment Rights Bill proposes to make flexible working the default unless there are specific business reasons it cannot be made to work.

Young people were found to be more likely to want to work from home than all other age groups. Closer to the start of their careers, and typically on lower pay, this group cited cost saving as their top benefit for home working. However, the report also suggests that young adults – with limited or shared space for working from home – could be more susceptible to stress, poor work-life balance and even musculoskeletal disorders linked to their living and working situations.

Almost one quarter (23%) of people surveyed aged 18 to 34 found it difficult to work from home due to their living situation, compared with just 4% of 45–54-year-olds. Young homeworkers also take fewer breaks than any other age group.

With rising numbers of young people reporting mental health conditions, and a record 1 in 4 young people in 2023 who are not in education, employment or training citing temporary or long-term sickness, employers face the challenge not only of recruiting but supporting and retaining the next generation of workers.

L&W argues that flexible working can still help create healthier working lives and ultimately narrow inequalities between groups: 80% of respondents across demographics reported improved work-life balance with home or hybrid working. People with health conditions and disabled people were more likely to report benefits for their health and wellbeing: among those who were already working at home, 83% agreed it was better for their mental health, while 76% agreed it was better for their physical health.

The report sets out practical recommendations for employers, line managers and individuals to promote healthy home and hybrid working for more groups. L&W argues that not every job can be done from home, but hybrid working can be more beneficial than either full-time in an office or full-time remote working: employers need to take particular care to ensure their job design, line management training and policy development promote healthy work for all employees – and especially younger colleagues.

Naomi Clayton, Director of Policy and Research at L&W, said:

“When done the right way, home and hybrid working can improve people’s health and wellbeing and tackle inequalities between groups. But home working isn’t always healthy, can’t work for every role or business, and young people can be at greatest risk here. With the Employment Rights Bill set to make flexible working the default, we’re calling on the Government and employers to make sure that any changes lead to healthier working lives. Consultation with workers and their representatives, introducing line management training that is specific to supporting homeworkers, and providing homeworkers with the training, equipment and support they need to look after their health and wellbeing are important first steps.”