Work from office: Better for mental health, reveals survey

Strong workplace relationships and pride in one’s work significantly enhance mental well-being, outweighing traditional ‘work-life balance’ factors, as indicated by a global study. Interestingly, Indian office workers showed better mental health than those in hybrid or remote setups.

Building strong workplace relationships and cultivating a sense of pride in one’s work are more crucial for mental well-being than the commonly emphasized ‘work-life balance’ factors like workload and flexibility, according to a recent extensive global study. Surprisingly, Indian office workers showed better mental health indicators compared to their counterparts in work-from-home or hybrid setups. This contrasts with findings in the Americas and Europe, where hybrid workers displayed the highest mental health indices.

The study titled Work Culture & Mental Wellbeing, conducted by the U.S.-based research organization Sapiens Labs, analyzed data from 54,831 employed respondents across 65 countries with internet access. This report emerges amidst a growing conversation in India about the challenges of high workloads and stressful work environments, particularly following the tragic death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant in Pune. While the report identifies workload as a notable source of distress, it highlights that these ‘work-life balance’ factors are only half as influential on mental health compared to other elements of work culture.

“Relationships with your colleagues and feeling a sense of pride and purpose in your work came in at the top of the list in terms of impact to mental wellbeing, regardless of what type of job you do,” the report emphasized. Poor relationships and a low sense of pride were linked to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and reduced motivation.

In India, the correlation between poor colleague relationships and mental distress was stronger than the global average. While those working in teams showed better mental health worldwide, the increase in well-being with team size was more pronounced in India.

The mental health quotient used in the study assessed 47 aspects of mental function and feelings. “We define mental wellbeing as not just mood & outlook factors but the full complement of mental capacities that allow us to navigate life’s challenges and function productively,” Thiagarajan stated.

The findings highlight the importance of relationships in both personal and professional spheres, demonstrating that humans seek to feel valued and included.