Study finds remote workers report higher well-being and retention than office-based staff

An analysis of 7,704 employees at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center compared fully remote, hybrid and fully onsite work arrangements. Participants working entirely from home reported the highest overall well-being across physical, mental, emotional, social and financial dimensions, whereas those always on site reported the lowest scores. Follow-up data a year later linked higher well-being to reduced turnover, suggesting remote work can improve talent retention and cut costly attrition.

Published in Frontiers of Psychology, the study also found remote staff felt as connected to colleagues and organizational culture as office-based peers. Co-authors Stefanie Johnson and Courtney Holladay argue that employers should design work experiences around desired outcomes rather than assuming physical presence drives engagement. Their conclusions run counter to vocal return-to-office advocates such as JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and OPM Director Scott Kupor.