Staff anxious about going to the office

ALMOST two in five workers feel stressed or anxious going into their office amid worries that it affects their work-life balance, new research suggests.

A survey of 1,000 workers found half blame the cost of travel and food for how they feel about having to return to offices.

Messaging app Slack said its study indicates three out of four workers experienced burnout in the past year, with a third putting in more hours. Slack said only two in five respondents believe their employer values their mental health, highlighting the “urgent need” for businesses to do more to help.

The study found seven out of 10 of those polled believe a four-day working week would improve their health and wellbeing. Almost half said hybrid working is best for their mental health, but only one in four have a free choice over if and when they work in the office, said the report.