A team of scientists from Stanford University has conducted a study which shows that working from home is both healthy and productive.
The study showed that people who worked from home were more satisfied with their job, were less exhausted and slept much better.
Researchers have also found that people working from home were the most likely to have better results, compared to those who worked from an office.
The study involved 255 employees from a big Chinese travel agency. The employees had been working for the company for at least six months.
Half of these employees worked from home for nine months, while the others worked from the office.
All the employees involved in the study worked the on the same shifts, at the same time.
The study revealed that the employees who worked form an office had a stable work performance. The half that worked from home experienced an increase in work performance of at least 13%. The results were measured by sales rates and customer interaction.
The study showed that the employees who worked from home were more productive per minute. The scientists explained that the better work results were due to the fact that there were less distractions, like noise, fewer breaks and also fewer sick days taken by the employees. All these factors lead to an increased productivity, researchers said.
When the study period was over, the employees could choose between continuing to work from home or return to the office. Approximately half of those who worked from home during the study decided to return to the office.
Those who chose to work from home showed better work results than those who worked from the office.
The authors of the new study advise companies to allow the employees to work from home, at least occasionally, because this will allow them to focus on individual tasks and project and will make the more productive and satisfied about their jobs.
A different study showed that working from home can also improve the employees’ sleep quality.
The study was published in the journal Sleep Health and it revealed that employees with a more flexible work schedule have less problems sleeping.
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