How does wellness while working from home look? To answer this question, Virtual Vocations polled remote workers and remote jobseekers about how healthy habits and choices, or the lack thereof, affect their professional and personal lives. The survey findings are showcased in our Remote Work Wellness Survey report for 2020.
The Virtual Vocations Remote Work Wellness Survey 2020 was released during National Work and Family Month in October. From October 19–23. Virtual Vocations members were asked to take our voluntary poll concerning their employment situations, health habits, personal life outlooks, career attitudes, and more. The survey received 1,231 responses from both employed and unemployed adults including professionals who work from home as well as individuals who were actively looking for remote jobs at the time of the survey.
Select the button below to view and download the Remote Work Wellness Survey Results 2020 report PDF or follow this link.
Select the button below to view and download the Remote Work Wellness Survey Results 2020 report infographic or follow this link.
CEO’s Statement
It is no secret that 2020 has been an unpredictable year. Amid widespread concerns for public and personal health in communities, at workplaces, and within homes, we wanted to learn more about what wellness while working remotely looks like.
—Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations CEO & Co-Founder
Through our Remote Work Wellness Survey, we were able to gain insights into the way remote workers and remote jobseekers view and practice wellness. We also learned about professional and personal life factors that influence remote workers’ and remote jobseekers’ decisions related to wellness and healthy habits, as well as how they perceive their overall career outlooks and future employment stability.
1
Healthy Habits and Wellness
Respondents who work from home are most likely to engage in wellness activities (91.57%), compared to adults who have been unemployed for the last six months (89.27%), and onsite workers (81.58%).
In their personal lives, the most popular healthy habits respondents engage in are ranked below:
- Eating mostly healthy meals
- Getting enough sleep most nights
- Exercising regularly
- Meditating
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: 5 Remote Companies That Prioritize Employee Wellness
2
Career Optimism and Wellness
95.08% of respondents who feel optimistic about their personal relationships, life dynamics, and futures engage in at least one wellness activity like exercising, meditating, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy.
The level of support respondents receive from managers and co-workers influences career optimism related to job security and stability. 56.82% of respondents who feel optimistic about their careers and job security say they receive enough support from their managers and co-workers. Meanwhile, among respondents who say they are not sure if they receive enough workplace support or do not receive the support they need from their managers and co-workers, only 31.15% feel optimistic about their job futures and career stability.
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: 11 Ways to Learn to Love Your Job
3
Workplace Support and Wellness
Remote managers who invest in the well-being of their teams and deploy good communication skills can positively impact the lives and futures of their employees. 52.50% of respondents who state they communicate well with management regarding job responsibilities also say they receive enough support from their managers and co-workers. Comparatively, only 17.50% of respondents who report positive job related communication with management say they do not receive the workplace support they need most of the time.
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: How to Support Employees Struggling with Remote Work
4
Relationships and Wellness
94.00% of respondents who say their personal relationships have improved in the last six months also engage in at least one wellness activity; 27.88% of this group has also experienced increased productivity during the same amount of time.
Meanwhile, only 25.16% of respondents who reported feelings of isolation and loneliness at work in the last six months increased their efficiency and productivity at work during the same amount of time. Productivity further declines for respondents who have felt increased isolation and loneliness from friends and family in the last six months. This group only reports a 23.94% increase in productivity in the last six months.
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: Navigating Relationships as a Remote Worker
5
Job Performance and Wellness
89.94% of respondents who have experienced more job satisfaction in the last six months also report they engage in healthy habits like exercising, meditating, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy. 58.48% who experienced increased work efficiency and productivity in the last six months also prioritize having a clear separation between personal and work time.
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: Impress Your Telecommute Boss without Sucking Up
3 Ways to Improve Wellness Levels as a Remote Worker
1. Work Smarter, Not Harder
4 Work-at-Home Productivity Tips:
- Work during your most productive hours.
- Complete 2-3 small work to-dos first thing to boost morale and inspire continued efficiency throughout the day.
- Eliminate environmental distractions.
- Seek care-giving help for children or family members present in the home during work hours.
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: Identify Your Peak Hours and Boost Productivity
2. Make Connections with Co-Workers
4 Ways to Interact with Co-Workers in a Remote Setting:
- Use social media or remote collaboration tools, like Slack, Zoom, and Teams, to engage on a personal level including sharing family and personal photos and news as appropriate.
- Participate in team building activities like gift exchanges, virtual coffee and chat sessions, and peer mentoring.
- Join co-workers in virtual volunteering activities benefiting charitable causes and community outreach.
- Congratulate co-workers on awards, promotions, and company recognition for a job well done.
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: Virtual Team Building Activities: 9 Ideas to Inspire Remote Teams
3. Care for Yourself and Others
4 Ways to Practice Self-Care as a Remote Worker:
- Frequently stretch, move, and adjust your position to reduce the sedentary effects of remote work.
- Recognize when to ask for help so that you neither become overwhelmed by stress nor fail to meet your deliverables.
- Whether or not you have a dedicated home office, curate a workspace that is pleasant, de-cluttered, and encourages productivity.
- Value your time as a resource that should not be disproportionately depleted or abused; this is especially important for remote workers who work as freelancers and gig workers.
Further Reading from Virtual Vocations: 9 Self-Love Exercises for Remote Workers to Boost Mood and Productivity
Remote Work Wellness Survey 2020 Complete Q&A
What is your current employment situation?
- 35.50% – I am currently working from home.
- 32.33% – I am currently unemployed, and looking for a remote job.
- 15.60% – I am currently unemployed, and looking for an onsite OR remote job.
- 15.43% – I am currently employed onsite, but looking for a remote job.
- 1.14% – I am currently employed working remotely, but looking for an onsite job.
What is your overall outlook for the future in regard to your career?
- 42.97% – I am uncertain about the stability of my career and my future employment situation.
- 42.89% – I am optimistic about the stability and future of my career and professional life.
- 14.14% – I am concerned that my career or employment situation is at risk.
In the past 6 months, have you experienced any of the following? (Select all that apply.)
The following responses have been ranked in order from greatest to least amount of responses received:
- I have been unemployed for the last six months.
- Decreased satisfaction in my career.
- Increased efficiency and productivity in my work.
- Feelings of isolation and loneliness in my job.
- More satisfaction in my career.
When it comes to healthy habits in your work life, do you engage in any of the following? (Select all that apply.)
The following responses have been ranked in order from greatest to least amount of responses received:
- I communicate well with management regarding job responsibilities.
- I have clear separation between personal and work time.
- I take scheduled breaks.
- I interact with co-workers socially on a regular basis.
- I do none of the above.
Do you feel that you receive enough support from management and co-workers within your professional life in order to successfully fulfill your responsibilities and feel connected?
- 40.54% – Yes, I receive enough support from my manager and co-workers.
- 34.36% – I’m not sure if I receive enough support, it varies from day to day.
- 25.10% – No, I do not receive the support I need most of the time.
What are the current family dynamics within your household?
- 35.42% – It is just me and my partner in our home.
- 30.38% – My partner, myself and our children share our home.
- 25.10% – I live alone.
- 9.10% – I am a single parent.
What is your overall outlook for the future in regard to your personal life?
- 47.93% – I feel positive about my current relationships and personal life dynamics. I look forward to the future and what it holds.
- 26.32% – I feel frustrated with my current personal situation and unsure about what the future holds and my quality of life.
- 25.75% – I feel okay about my future, and am just waiting to see what unfolds.
In the past 6 months, have you experienced any of the following in your personal life? (Select all that apply.)
The following responses have been ranked in order from greatest to least amount of responses received:
- I have been able to dedicate more time and attention to my family members.
- My personal life and relationships have stayed the same.
- I have felt increased isolation and loneliness from friends and family.
- The quality of my personal relationships has declined.
- My personal relationships have improved.
When it comes to healthy habits in your personal life, do you engage in any of the following? (Select all that apply.)
The following responses have been ranked in order from greatest to least amount of responses received:
- I eat most healthy meals.
- I get enough sleep most nights.
- I exercise regularly.
- I do none of the above.
- I meditate regularly.
Contact Information for the Remote Work Wellness Survey Report 2020
Inquiries about the Virtual Vocations Remote Work Wellness Survey Report 2020 can be made to Michelle Rawlings, Public Relations Specialist, at michelle (at) virtualvocations (dot) com or via phone at 1-800-379-5092 EXT. 703.
Please visit Virtual Vocations social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest for additional remote work content and conversations.
Join Virtual Vocations
Joining Virtual Vocations grants you access to our hand-picked remote jobs database. Learn how our service works, browse job leads by location and career category, or search hundreds of hand-screened remote jobs to find legitimate work-at-home job leads that match your skills and background. Register for free or contact us for more information on our service guarantee.
Check out our menu of Career Services provided by our team of certified professionals, including resume and career coaching services for remote jobseekers. Resume assessments and writing, LinkedIn profile enhancement, and cover letter writing are available to maximize the success of your remote job applications. Discounts on all services available to subscription members, become one now.
