A recent Conference Board survey found that over 80% of workers were comfortable with returning to a physical workplace.

It looks like many workers are becoming happier about returning to the workplace. About 82% of those in the US expressed comfort in returning to the physical workplace, finds a recent survey from the Conference Board. This is up from 71% in January 2022. But that return to the workplace may be helpful, considering that 58% of workers say their work-life integration increased during the pandemic. “While remote work surely provides a desirable work-life balance for many, these results suggest that the lack of clear boundaries in many remote-work arrangements can fuel stress and burnout,” says Rebecca Ray, executive vice-president for human capital at the Conference Board. More than half (51%) of those working remotely are also concerned about limited connection with their colleagues and 47% are worried about blurred work-life boundaries. Thirty-four percent said they care about the constant expectation to be available while 32% are anxious about increased hours or workload. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) agree with their organization that returning to the physical workplace will enhance networking opportunities and build relationships. More than seven in 10 also agree that it will increase collaboration (72%) and help maintain culture (70%).  However, one third (33 percent) of those in the actual workplace are concerned about the increased time and cost to commute. This is much more common among Millennials (59%) than Gen X workers (31%) and Baby Boomers (30%). Women (43%) are also much more concerned about this than men (25%).

Source: Mortgage Professional America