Why are remote workers feeling more drained than free? Here's what study says

The world romanticized remote work as liberation, the promise of yoga pants over power suits and coffee breaks in sunlit kitchens. But beneath that comfort, a quieter crisis has been brewing. New findings from Gallup’s May 2025 workplace report reveal that the emotional toll of working remotely is far greater than many realize. Only 36 percent of fully remote workers say they are “thriving” in their lives overall, compared with 42 percent of hybrid and 42 percent of on-site remote-capable employees. The only group faring worse was those in fully on-site, non-remote-capable jobs (30 percent). Gallup further notes that fully remote workers report higher levels of anger, sadness, and loneliness, and 45 percent said they felt significant stress the previous day, surpassing their on-site cou