Return to office mandates are hurting Sottish worker’s mental wellbeing as leaders crack down on hybrid and remote work, Hays found.

In a new report from the recruitment outfit, Hays surveyed 3,600 workers in the UK, 209 of which work in Scotland.

Overwhelmingly, most (84%) of those working in a hybrid role say it has positively impacted their overall wellbeing, with seven in ten (71%) of employers in Scotland backing flexible working in investment.

However, as leaders urge their workers back to the office, many Scots have voiced their concerns. Over half (58%) are worried about the financial impact of having to work in the office more regularly. Working in the office may increase transportation or child care costs.

“Our research shows that 43% of workers in Scotland say recent new stories about employers asking staff to return to the office more regularly has had a negative knock-on effect on their wellbeing,” Keith Mason, director at Hays Scotland, said.

“These ‘scare stories’ are mostly affecting younger workers aged between 20 and 29, more than the older age group of over 50s across the UK.”

Mason said that ignoring these financial concerns could “have a negative impact on the sustained success of their business.”

The survey found that work itself is impacting people’s wellbeing negatively with workers citing a high workload (46%), inadequate compensation and benefits (39%), and a lack of recognition and appreciation (36%) worsening their wellbeing.

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Interestingly, even reporting on return to office mandates is negatively impacting worker’s wellbeing in anticipation of the added stress and strain of going into the office.

This was noted to more negatively affect women workers than men, perhaps indicating unequal strain from care duties, or negative workplace culture.

Overall, in the UK, Hays found that 54% of professionals feel stressed at work.

While Hays surveyed a range of sectors across the UK, the survey does provide valuable insight into the UK tech sector, as many tech professionals are questioning their role in the industry due to stress and a lack of compensation.

Women are reportedly leaving the sector in droves due to a lack of work progression and equal pay – could a return to office mandate be the last straw for some workers who already have one foot out the door?