A recent article on NPR’s website shared some interesting research about potentially negative effects of working remotely. (Chattergee, R. (2026, June 8). People love working from home. But does it love them back? A new study says no. Special Series: Living Better. npr.org)
I can confirm that many people with whom I work want to either work remotely or in a hybrid position. In some cases, they started working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic and became accustomed to the freedom it provides.
Or they have friends or heard about people who work remotely and covet the time flexibility. No more waiting until the weekend to go hiking or plan a gathering, just take time one afternoon or end work early, then make up the work when it’s convenient, maybe later at night.
Also, cramming all the household chores and caring for loved ones and pets outside of work can be a real challenge. Working from home allows mini breaks to start a load of dishes or laundry, answer your kid’s questions, or play with your dog, not to mention take a quick walk around the block or a few minutes in your garden.
Sound ideal? Yes, there are plenty of pros, but turns out there may be some cons, as well. A new study indicates that, “…the practice has made workers more socially isolated, anxious and depressed compared to people who work in-person in offices and other settings.”
The study, found in the journal, “Science,” and authored by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, looked at data from five large national surveys on American workers, both in jobs that allow remote work…and those in jobs that can’t be done remotely. A central and striking discovery was that “… workers in remotable jobs saw a 72% rise in chances of spending their whole day with no human contact.” They also visited mental health providers more and used more psychiatric medicines.
Psychologist and author, Gillian Sandstrom, at Sussex University says in the article, “…this feeling of human connection and belonging is just absolutely crucial…we cannot thrive, we suffer, if we don’t have that need met.”
It also points out, however, that, “Other studies have documented that remote work increases productivity in many industries, and that working from home is particularly helpful for certain groups, like caregivers and neurodivergent individuals.” I also think that it is often more attractive to people who identify as Introverted on the MBTI personality assessment.
From a personal point of view, as someone who currently works from home, I experience both pros and cons. I love the convenience and freedom. In my case, I am married with a daughter, so I have daily interaction with loved ones. I also live in a cohousing community and can wander over to the Common House if I want to chat with someone, as there is usually someone there. I have had infrequent days, though, when I don’t have meetings planned and spend the workday completely solo. I noticed feeling sort of strange and disconnected as the day wore on.
In the article, they mentioned that employers can do their part to entice people. They can assure that a large enough group of employees are in the office, versus just a couple of stragglers, and implement other strategies to make working in the office more attractive. Free coffee, bagels, and snacks come to mind, maybe a tangible token of appreciation…
Could a hybrid schedule be the best compromise? What are your thoughts on remote versus in-person work? Would you accept a 4 to 10 percent pay cut to work from home, as some workers in other studies say they would? As mentioned, most of my clients say they prefer remote or hybrid roles, so the appeal remains strong. That said, some still favor hybrid or fully in-person work because they miss or long for the built-in social connection a workplace can provide.