Superhuman released the results of its first annual Workplace Wellness Report.
The report highlighted several key areas that can help companies who are trying to hire and retain their employees.
A majority of respondents (72%) say that a four-day work week would make them twice as likely to stay with their company.

Amid persistent talent shortage, emboldened professionals seek increased workday flexibility, standards around workplace communication, and mental health support from employers.

Superhuman released the results of its first annual Workplace Wellness Report – the goal of which was to dig into the beliefs, values and attitudes of knowledge workers across both remote and in-office environments in the midst of the Great Resignation.

The study found that knowledge workers are seeking clearer boundaries and norms around workplace communication, substantive mental health benefits and access to a more flexible work schedule.

Amid a persistent talent shortage that led to a record 10.4 million job openings in September, the report highlighted several key areas that can help companies who are trying to hire and retain their employees.

Among respondents’ requests is more flexibility around their schedule, with 72% reporting that a four-day work week would make them twice as likely to stay with their company and 30% indicating that they would take a 20% pay cut if it allowed them to work whatever schedule they want.

“We are seeing a seismic shift in what people value, whether remotely or in an office,” said Rahul Vohra, founder and CEO of Superhuman. “In today’s white hot job market, knowledge workers want substantive benefits: mental health support, clearer communication norms, the ability to work remotely long-term, and the flexibility to work outside of the traditional M-F, 9-5 schedule. Our data shows that these benefits massively impact both job satisfaction and productivity.”

With the rise of remote work blurring the lines between personal and professional lives for many people, knowledge workers are facing frustrations around lack of boundaries around workplace communications and expectations.

In fact, 44% of knowledge workers say their company currently has no norms and standards around workplace communication boundaries. As a result, both remote and in-office workers expressed a desire for more effective communication throughout their company and substantial mental health resources from their employer.

Key findings:

With remote workers increasingly opposed to the standard work week, workday flexibility is key for retention

Nearly half of all knowledge workers (42%) say that being forced to work a 9-5 lowers their job satisfaction.
A majority of respondents (72%) say that a four-day work week would make them twice as likely to stay with their company. That number rises to 82% among workers aged 35 and younger.
Nearly a third (30%) of knowledge workers would be willing to take a 20% pay cut to not have to work within a standard 9 to 5 schedule.

Knowledge workers are frustrated by a lack of boundaries and standards around workplace expectations and communications

44% of knowledge workers state that their company has no norms and standards around workplace communication. Consequently, 80% would prefer more effective communication throughout their company than the ability to attend a fancy all-company offsite.
It doesn’t matter if you are remote or in-office – 26% of workers listed too many emails in their inbox as one of their top distractions.
Nearly 60% of workers believe managers equally reward substantive work results and performative actions that signal one is online or available throughout the day. As a result, more than half of remote (63%) and in-office knowledge workers (71%) feel expected to respond to an email from their manager in 30 minutes or less.

Professionals want employers to play a larger role in their mental health and wellbeing

The majority of respondents (65%) believe that employee mental health is the shared responsibility of the employee and the employer. However, nearly a quarter (21%) of knowledge workers say their employer is not currently taking any actions to help improve their mental health and wellness at work.
Knowledge workers who say their employer provides substantial mental health resources were 65% more likely to rate their productivity as “excellent” when compared to those who receive partial or non-existent mental health resources.
55% of knowledge workers say their employer should offer more paid time off, or fully paid medical or mental health leave, to improve mental health in the workplace.
Companies that make a concerted effort to invest in mental health will improve retention and find it easier to hire.

Despite concerns that remote work has negatively impacted productivity and collaboration, remote professionals largely report a positive experience

57% of remote knowledge workers say their relationships with coworkers are strong – despite being remote, and 73% believe that they can form a strong relationship with coworkers without meeting them in person.
In-office knowledge workers are just 4% more likely than remote workers to say that they have rich and flourishing relationships at work.
Knowledge workers rate their productivity very highly; more than 90% of remote and office workers describe themselves as having above-average levels of productivity.

Superhuman’s study has revealed a strategy to attract and retain amazing employees: mental health support, clear communication norms, the ability to work remotely long-term, and the flexibility to work outside of traditional schedules.