Sometimes here, sometimes there: Social Stressors in Hybrid Work

What is it about?

This study examines how different work locations, specifically working from home versus the office, affect employees' well-being. With the rise of hybrid work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding these impacts is crucial. The research focuses on social stressors, which are interactions at work that can be either challenging or hindering. Social challenge stressors, such as navigating complex discussions with colleagues, can motivate employees and lead to positive feelings. However, they can also cause exhaustion, especially when working from home due to limited face-to-face interactions. On the other hand, social hindrance stressors, like personal conflicts, generally lead to negative outcomes like increased exhaustion, particularly when experienced in the office where such interactions are more frequent and harder to avoid. The study's findings suggest that working from home can reduce the negative impact of social hindrance stressors by allowing employees to distance themselves from conflicts. Conversely, the positive effects of social challenge stressors are less pronounced at home due to fewer opportunities for immediate feedback and social support.

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Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research highlights the importance of considering work location when designing policies and interventions to improve employee well-being in hybrid work settings.