Remote Work: More Sleep, More Family Time, But Longer Work Hours

The debate around remote work continues, but a new Statistics Canada study provides fresh insights into its impact on daily life. The data reveals that remote workers benefit from better rest, spend more time with their children, and, surprisingly, work longer hours compared to their in-office counterparts.

Remote Workers Sleep More and Spend More Time with Family

One of the most striking findings of the study is that remote workers sleep an average of 34 minutes longer per day than those who commute to an office. This increase in rest can be attributed to the elimination of daily commutes, which often take up an hour or more of a person’s day. Without the stress of rushing out the door in the morning or dealing with evening traffic, remote employees can maintain more consistent sleep schedules and improve their overall well-being.

Beyond better rest, remote workers also get to spend significantly more time with their children. According to the study, those who work from home dedicate 60 minutes more per day to childcare activities than office-based employees. This extra hour can make a major difference for parents, allowing them to engage more in their children's lives, whether by helping with homework, preparing meals together, or simply being present during key moments of the day.

The Trade-Off: Longer Work Hours

While remote work offers benefits in terms of sleep and family time, it comes with a notable trade-off—longer workdays. The study found that remote employees spend an additional 1.5 hours per day working compared to their in-office peers. This suggests that while employees save time on commuting, many end up reallocating that time toward job-related tasks, blurring the lines between work and personal life.

For some, this increased work time may be due to fewer distractions at home, making it easier to stay focused and productive for longer periods. However, for others, it may signal the difficulty of "logging off" when work and home life coexist in the same space. The absence of clear boundaries can lead to an "always-on" mentality, where employees feel the need to be available outside of traditional work hours.

Finding Balance in a Remote Work World

The study highlights both the advantages and challenges of remote work. On one hand, employees experience improved sleep quality, more personal time, and increased involvement in family life—all of which contribute to overall well-being. On the other hand, longer work hours may offset some of these benefits if employees struggle to disconnect.

For remote work to be sustainable, companies and employees must establish clear work-life boundaries. Employers can set expectations around availability, encourage regular breaks, and promote a results-driven culture rather than one focused on hours worked. Likewise, employees can create structured work routines, set designated "offline" times, and ensure they take full advantage of the flexibility remote work provides.

As organizations continue to navigate hybrid and remote work models, these findings offer valuable insights into how employees' daily lives are evolving. The key moving forward will be maximizing the benefits of remote work while addressing its challenges—ensuring that workers not only sleep better and spend more time with family but also maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Read more at Toronto.com