Healthy, healthier, hybrid work: the burnout-reducing potential of remote work and the mediating effect of work autonomy

Abstract

PurposeWith the continuing transition to hybrid working models, companies are confronted with new challenges. Location- and time-flexible working offers employees considerable advantages regarding work success and, in particular, personal well-being and health. The separate effects of remote work and work autonomy on the degree of perceived burnout have already been sufficiently investigated. The influence of hybrid work, the combination of remote and in-office work together with work autonomy, on perceived burnout has yet to be investigated. Against this background, the present study examines the impact of hybrid work on perceived burnout.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical study uses data from N = 779 German office employees. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, the data is evaluated using regression and mediation analysis.FindingsThe results indicate a negative impact of remote work and work autonomy on perceived burnout. In addition, the effect of remote work on perceived burnout is partially mediated by work autonomy. This shows that hybrid work overall has a burnout-reducing effect.Practical implicationsConsidering the workforce’s health, the results suggest that organisations should focus on hybrid working. Thus, employees should continuously be allowed to work remotely. In addition, workflows and processes should be designed to provide employees work autonomy. If organisational constraints require office presence, then the results underline the need for stress-reducing adaptation of offices.Originality/valueThe study offers first empirical results on the combined impact of remote work and work autonomy on perceived burnout. Furthermore, it provides implications for designing hybrid working environments and orientation in the ongoing return to office debate.