Working from home is now part of life in Australia. But how does it affect our mental health? Does it help, and if so, how often should we be doing it? A recent study explored these questions with data from over 16,000 Australian workers.
We found that working from home seems to boost women’s mental health more than men’s. This research drew from two decades of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Interestingly, we left out data from 2020 and 2021 due to the unusual mental health effects of the COVID pandemic.
Our focus was on two main areas: commuting time and working from home. We looked at how these factors changed mental health for different groups of people, particularly those with good versus poor mental health.
**How Commuting Affects Mental Health**
We found that commuting impacts men and women differently. For women, longer commutes didn’t seem to harm their mental health. However, for men, those with already strained mental health felt the effects of longer commutes. A 30-minute increase in commute time was roughly equivalent to a 2% drop in household income for men with average mental health.
**The Hybrid Model Works for Women**
When it comes to working from home, the biggest boost to mental health for women happened with a hybrid model—spending one or two days in the office each week while working mainly from home. For women struggling with mental health, this arrangement was more beneficial than working exclusively in an office. It brought a mental health gain similar to a 15% increase in household income. This matches findings from a previous study that showed hybrid work can improve job satisfaction and productivity.
The mental health benefits for women stem from more than just saving commuting time. Our analysis showed that working from home can lower work stress and help balance family responsibilities.
For men, however, working from home didn’t show a clear positive or negative impact on mental health, regardless of how many days they worked from home or the office. This may relate to how tasks are distributed in Australian households and that men’s social networks often tie closely to their work environments.
**Key Takeaways**
Employees with poor mental health are most affected by commuting, yet they also stand to gain the most from flexible work-from-home options. Women, in particular, benefit significantly from this arrangement. Meanwhile, those with strong mental health appear less impacted by commuting and working from home.
**What Can Be Done?**
For workers, it’s vital to track how different work arrangements and commuting times affect you personally. If mental health is an issue, schedule demanding tasks for days that feel the most comfortable. Employers should offer flexible working models, especially for those who struggle with mental health. Avoid blanket policies like “everyone back to the office.” Instead, consider hybrid models that offer a balance of both settings.
For policymakers, the focus should be on reducing traffic congestion and enhancing public transport. Encouraging flexible working conditions and improving access to mental health services is crucial.
As we continue to analyze how work arrangements affect mental health, findings will play a key role in shaping future workplaces. Keeping mental health in focus can lead to happier and more productive workers.
Source: The Conversation
