Is Bringing Work Home Good for You?
Remember when “bringing work home” used to mean something completely different?
If you can cast your mind back to the heady days before the pandemic, it used to mean you’d have some paperwork that you didn’t manage to finish while you were in the office, so you’d take it home over the evening or weekend.
But for many of us now, bringing work home is now the new normal thanks to “working from home”. The lines between work and home are blurred like never before. So, the question arises: is this constant proximity of work and home a good thing or not?
In this article, we explore whether or not bringing work home is good for you, look at some eye-opening stats and give you some food for thought on how the work-from-home/life balance is a different beast entirely.
Bringing Work Home Pre-2020
Looking back, homeworking was a relatively rare thing to come by. In 1981, there were only an estimated 1.5% of employees working mainly at home. By 2019, it had tripled to 4.7%. And by 2020, well, you know the story…
So when people were talking about “bringing work home” pre-2020, they meant just that. You know the drill: drafting documents on the commute home, checking emails in bed, or answering work phone calls during dinner.
In fact, a 2010 study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that: “About 8 percent of nonfarm business employees bring some work home, mostly to finish or catch up on their work; those who bring work home work more hours per week, on average, than those who work only at the workplace…”
Of course, this type of behaviour has long been branded as unhealthy and unproductive. But picking up a work email here and there isn’t the issue. The real culprit forcing employees to bring work home is unhealthy and unmanageable workloads.
In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a noticeable rise in self-reported work-related stress, depression, and anxiety, with the biggest reason being workload (as indicated by the Labour Force Survey (2009/10-2011/12)).
Specifically, factors such as tight deadlines, excessive workloads, and overwhelming pressure or responsibility were the major contributors to these mental health challenges.
The rates had been steadily rising, indicating a growing concern. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, the current levels have surpassed those observed in 2018/19, highlighting the significant impact and lingering effects of the crisis on mental wellbeing.
So, this begs the question: did the blurring of lines between our workspaces and personal spaces make our lives worse?
Let’s break down the stats post-2020…
Bringing Work Home Post-2020
In 2023, Champion Health’s Workplace Health Report took an in-depth look at the impact and prevalence of stress on UK employees.
According to Champion's data, workload emerges as the leading cause of stress among employees by a significant margin (73%). It overwhelmingly tops the list as the primary source of stress in the workplace.
However, it has dropped slightly from 2022 to 2023 (76% to 73%). This might be indicative of people improving how they handle the clash between the worlds of work and home (better known as work-life balance if you’re feeling humdrum).
In fact, a gov.uk report from February 2022 found that an impressive 78% of individuals who had the opportunity to work from home reported experiencing an improved work-life balance. Almost half (47%) also reported improved wellbeing to boot.
But that’s not to say it’s been all sunshine and roses for everyone. A survey carried out by Nuffield Health in 2020 (at the height of the pandemic) found that 30% of Brits working from home have been finding it difficult to separate their home lives from their work lives, with 27% reporting difficulties switching off at the end of the day or working week.
And this is completely understandable. We’ve all been there: it’s 8pm and suddenly you remember that email you forgot to send. Your laptop is sitting right there. It’s so easy to just reach for it and get back into work mode. Sound familiar?
So, Is Bringing Work Home Good For You?
Technically, bringing work home is something most of us do now. So, when looking at it through the eyes of “work from home”, it can be both good and bad for you (think Schrodinger’s briefcase).
But if it’s a symptom of an unhealthy workload or the blurring of lines between your professional and personal lives, then it is actually pretty bad for you (it could also be a sign you’re in a toxic relationship with your job). And not just for your mental and physical health (work burnout, anyone?), but for your productivity as well.
Research from Stanford University suggests that working longer hours doesn't necessarily make you more productive. In fact, the study found that people who work 50 hours per week see a notable decline in productivity.
Surprisingly, those who go beyond the 55-hour mark don't achieve any greater results than those who call it quits at the 55-hour threshold. So, it's time to rethink the "more is better" mindset and prioritise a healthy work-life balance instead.
So, let’s shift the question: is working from home good for you? This doesn’t have an easy answer either. Like a lot of things, it depends on the individual involved. However, we can definitively say that working from home can sometimes lead to an unhealthy breakdown between your work and personal life.
Nuffield Health’s Gosia Bowling (Emotional Wellbeing Prevention and Enhancement Lead) had this to say:
“Those who regularly work from home have established routines and boundaries that help them compartmentalise their personal and professional lives. These things take time to get right and will be different for each individual, but without them, the continuous pressure of work can negatively impact our mental health, which in turn can impact not only our relationships but our physical health.”
Tips for Managing Workload Stress While Working From Home
So now we’ve concluded that the act of bringing work home itself is neither good nor evil, here are some practical tips for managing workload stress while working from home:
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish dedicated work hours and stick to them as much as possible. Communicate your availability to colleagues and family members to minimise interruptions and create a clear distinction between work time and personal time.
Prioritise and Plan: Prioritise your tasks by importance and deadline. Create a daily or weekly plan that outlines what needs to be accomplished. Breaking down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks can help reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Create a Productive Workspace: Designate a specific area in your home as your workspace. Make it comfortable, organised, and free from distractions. Having a designated space helps to mentally separate work from personal life.
Take Regular Breaks: Schedule short breaks throughout the day to recharge and refresh your mind. Step away from your workspace, stretch, take a walk, or engage in activities that help you relax and rejuvenate.
Practice Effective Time Management: Use time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or time blocking to structure your workday. Focus on one task at a time, set realistic deadlines, and avoid multitasking, as it can increase stress and reduce productivity.
Communicate with Your Team: Maintain open lines of communication with your colleagues and supervisors. Discuss workload expectations, deadlines, and any challenges you might be facing. Collaboration and support can alleviate stress and ensure realistic workloads.
Seek Support and Delegate: Don't hesitate to ask for help when needed. Reach out to colleagues or supervisors to delegate tasks or seek guidance. Recognise that you don't have to shoulder the entire workload on your own.
Practice Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental wellbeing. Get regular exercise, prioritise healthy eating, practice mindfulness or meditation, and make time for activities you enjoy.
Maintain Work-Life Balance: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Make time for activities outside of work that bring you joy and relaxation. Engage in hobbies, spend quality time with loved ones, and disconnect from work-related tasks during non-work hours.
Remember, finding the right balance between your work and personal life is key to managing workload stress effectively. Experiment with these tips, adjust them to fit your needs, and discover what works best for you in maintaining a healthy and fulfilling work-from-home experience.
Closing Thoughts
The advent of remote work has undeniably blurred the lines between our professional and personal lives. But that doesn't mean we should surrender to the merging of these two worlds. It is crucial to establish and uphold boundaries that prevent work from encroaching on our personal time long after we've logged off.
As a personal rule: do what you can to preserve the sanctity of your home lives, even in this interconnected world of work where escape can seem impossible.
At Michael Mauro, we are huge proponents of workplace wellbeing, wherever that workplace might be. Through our workplace wellbeing consultancy, we can equip every member of your management team with a deep understanding of the significance of employee wellbeing. Moreover, we will provide them with actionable steps they can take to enhance and prioritise the wellbeing of their team members, be they remote, hybrid or in the office.
Get in touch today to see how we can help improve your company’s fighting spirit.
Written by Michael
Michael Mauro is the founder of a forward-thinking organisation specialising in leadership, HR and employee development. With over a decade of global experience, Michael has become a leading voice on topics such as culture, inclusion, wellbeing, and the future of leadership.
