Story perspectives

Remote Work Linked to Higher Distress, Especially Alone

6/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Emma Harrington’s team published a study that remote work raises mental distress, based on five surveys (2011-2024) covering 588,322 workers.
After controlling for age, parental status and education, remote-friendly employees living alone reported more isolation and distress than peers, with 25 percent saying they spent an entire day alone.
Authors advise in-office days and informal online interaction while Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom says letting employees choose their setting improves mental health.

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Story summary

Emma Harrington’s team published a study that remote work raises mental distress, based on five surveys (2011-2024) covering 588,322 workers.
After controlling for age, parental status and education, remote-friendly employees living alone reported more isolation and distress than peers, with 25 percent saying they spent an entire day alone.
Authors advise in-office days and informal online interaction while Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom says letting employees choose their setting improves mental health.