Working from Home: Impact on Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance (original) (raw)
Related papers
Working from home and subsequent work outcomes: Pre-pandemic evidence
PLOS ONE, 2023
Frequent working from home (WFH) may stay as a new work norm after the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior observational studies on WFH and work outcomes under non-pandemic circumstances are mostly cross-sectional and often studied employees who worked from home in limited capacity. To provide additional insights that might inform post-pandemic work policies, using longitudinal data collected before the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2018 to July 2019), this study aims to examine the associations between WFH and multiple subsequent work-related outcomes, as well as potential modifiers of these associations, in a sample of employees among whom frequent or even full-time WFH was common (N = 1,123, Mean age = 43.37 years). In linear regression models, each subsequent work outcome (standardized score was used) was regressed on frequencies of WFH, adjusting for baseline values of the outcome variables and other covariates. The results suggested that WFH for 5 days/week versus never WFH was associated with subsequently less work distraction (ß =-0.24, 95% CI =-0.38,-0.11), greater perceived productivity/engagement (ß = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.36), and greater job satisfaction (ß = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.27), and was associated with subsequent work-family conflicts to a lesser extent (ß =-0.13, 95% CI =-0.26, 0.004). There was also evidence suggesting that long work hours, caregiving responsibilities, and a greater sense of meaningful work can all potentially attenuate the benefits of WFH. As we move towards the post-pandemic era, further research will be needed to understand the impacts of WFH and resources for supporting employees who work from home.
Impact of work from home on employee wellbeing during pandemic
Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 2021
The research paper title work from home: A study on wellbeing of employees during work from home during coronavirus pandemic. The main objective of the study is to know how the employee wellbeing is affected due to work from home. Especially in the IT industry the work life balance of the employees is affected badly. The descriptive research is used in this study as the research design and the sampling method is used as the convenience sampling. The size of the sample collected in this study is sixty (60) also the primary data is used. The statistical tools used in this study are frequency analysis, mean analysis and regression. Regression analysis is used to measure the wellbeing of the employees during COVID-19 pandemic. The components used to measure the impacts of work from home on employee wellbeing are work demands, home demands, work interfering with family, family interfering work and employee wellbeing. This analysis will be useful for the human resource managers to know the wellbeing of the employees during work from home.
ISSUES & CHALLENGES OF WORK FROM HOME (WFH) DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON WORKLIFE BALANCE
Kahkashan Khan, Yasmeen Abouainain, Nhat Tan Nguyen , Sanjay Dey , 2022
The world has been affected by COVID-19 Pandemic adversely.The pandemic is clearing the world, it's anything but, an enormous extent of the labor force unfit to drive to work, as to moderate the spread of the infection. This has brought about the two businesses and representatives looking for elective work courses of action. Because of the pandemic, most if not all specialists experienced work from home (WFH). Subsequently, WFH has become an arrangement need for most governments.This research paper focuses on the issues and Challenges of work from home (WFH) during COVID-19 pandemic on employees of different organization and their work life balance. This paper also includes how COVID-19 has changed the way of working of employees by adopting different online mode of working. In addition, this paper focuses on how the employees felt during their COVID-19 pandemic period, what are their experience in the COVID-19 scenario and how they and their organizations are fighting against the COVID pandemic.
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
In the ongoing attempt to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and flatten the curve, governments and employers have encouraged (and in some cases required) workers to work at home. This sudden widespread shift to home-based teleworking was not anticipated. Consequently, the ability to make provisions to ensure the health and safety of workers was limited. Further, in many cases, the shift to working at home has been involuntary and likely to continue for an extended period. The study presented in this paper aimed to examine the health and well-being experiences in a sample of professional/managerial workers who were engaged in teleworking as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation developed. Data were collected from workers in the Australian construction industry who were required to work from home on alternate weeks to reduce the number of people in project offices. A multiwave survey was conducted at three construction projects. Longitudinal analysis of the data indicated a consistent gradual decline in the mental well-being of participants. The analysis identified a positive and significant relationship between work-life satisfaction and mental well-being and indicated that the effects of work hours, work pressure, work engagement, and work-life interference on mental well-being were mediated by the extent to which participants were satisfied with their work-life balance. Combining these results with qualitative comments made by participants helped to understand their varying experiences during the pandemic and the impact on their mental well-being. The results highlight the importance of considering work-life satisfaction and creating opportunities for improved work-family balance when designing teleworking arrangements. The paper contributes to knowledge and practice by providing the evidence that helps organizations to maximize the health benefits and reduce the risks associated with home-based working during (and potentially beyond) the pandemic.
Teleworking and work–life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review
Canadian Psychology, 2022
Telework, a work modality that allows employees to work outside the boundaries of an office through information and communication technologies, is rising. As the COVID-19 pandemic imposed social distancing regulations, alternative ways to work are growing in popularity. However, given the rapid growth of telework and the interest by employees to continue using this mode of operation, examination of the available literature is essential to guide future work. The current scoping review aimed to examine the effects of telework on employees' work and non-work domains. Key attention was given to the effects on work-life balance. Under the umbrella of work-life balance, consequences on psychological health and performance were also examined. Six databases were consulted to gather articles published between January 2020 and December 2021. A total of 42 articles from Asia, Europe, North and South America, as well as Oceania, were included. Heterogenous findings were identified with regards to work-life balance and psychological health and these inconsistencies seemed to depend on moderating factors such as biological sex, boundary management strategies, and frequency of telework to name a few. Performance seemed to benefit the most from telework, albeit some exceptions (e.g., having pets, young children or dependents) seemed to affect it negatively. We conclude that telework may not be beneficial for all and that a more thorough understanding of how teleworking can impact employees' various personal and private domains is further required.
2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many negative and drastic changes in contemporary organizations with regard to employees. Human resources management faces the challenge of developing ways to mitigate the negative effects of work during the pandemic. Factors such as feeling threatened, isolation, working from home or insecurity have all contributed to the well-being of employees. They pose a significant challenge for managers who need to adapt management tools to new realities. It is also necessary to ensure the well-being of employees in order to work efficiently. An important element that requires analysis and development of further support schemes is work-life balance. Remote working has caused an accumulation of professional activities in private places. The spatial boundary separating the workplace from the resting place has also been blurred. Additionally, due to the extension of working time at home, time limits have also changed. As a result, the work-life balance was disrupted, negatively affecting the mental health of employees. The systematic literature review in this chapter concerns the analysis includes an analysis of key research areas of work-life balance related to remote working. The study analyzes various aspects of the imbalance between home and work as well as the most acute effects of new forms of work introduced as a result of the pandemic.
Workplace Health & Safety, 2023
Background: COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of remote working in which employers' obligations for employees' health and well-being extended into the home. This paper reports on a systematic review of the health impacts of remote working within the context of COVID-19 and discusses the implications of these impacts for the future role of the occupational health nurse. Method: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021258517) and followed the PRISMA guidelines. The review covered 2020-2021 to capture empirical studies of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, their physical and psychological impacts and mediating factors. Results: Eight hundred and thirty articles were identified. After applying the inclusion criteria, a total of 34 studies were reviewed. Most studies showed low to very low strength of evidence using the GRADE approach. A minority of studies had high strength of evidence. These focused on the reduced risk of infection and negative effects in terms of reduced physical activity, increased sedentary activity, and increased screen time. Conclusion/ Application to Practice: The synergy of work and personal well-being with the accelerated expansion of remote working suggests a more active role in the lives of workers within the home setting on the part of occupational health nurses. That role relates to how employees organize their relationship to work and home life, promoting positive lifestyles while mitigating adverse impacts of remote working on personal well-being.
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of employees to work from home as governments implemented lockdowns. Research purpose: This study examined the impact of working exclusively from home on employee engagement and experience, and determined beneficial and distracting factors. Motivation for the study: Remote working trends have risen steeply since the onset of COVID-19 and are unlikely to taper off soon. Organisations need to understand the impact of remote work when reconsidering working arrangements. Research approach/design and method: A dual-approach qualitative design was followed. The sample comprised 25 employees (N = 25) who were forced to work exclusively from home during COVID-19. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Main findings: Working from home for protracted periods rendered paradoxical outcomes. Employees could work effectively with improved employee engagement and experience, but there were challenges rendering adverse effects. The experienced benefits of working from home created expectations that this practice would continue in future, along with some office work. Practical/managerial implications: Organisations need to continue, though not exclusively, with work-from-home arrangements. The ideal ratio of remote work to office work was seen as two to three days per week. However, support and cultural practices would have to be put in place. Contribution/value-add: The COVID-19 lockdown provided a unique environment to study remote work. For the first time, employees and organisations were placed in a situation where they could experience working from home in a stark and compulsory form, devoid of idealistic fantasies or romanticism.
Management:Journal of Sustainable Business and Management Solutions in Emerging Economies
Research Question: This paper explores the relationship between working from home, work-related attitudes, work-life balance and employee well-being. Motivation: The paper is inspired by an evident lack of research of factors that possibly cause differences in the employees` work-related attitudes, work-life balance and employee well-being especially in the Covid Era. In this paper, we search for a better understanding of the relationship between working from home, work-related attitudes, work-life balance and employee well-being. Idea: The paper aims to identify factors that make a difference in certain work-related attitudes (job satisfaction and organizational commitment), work-life balance and employee well-being in working from home environment in order to provide for better understanding of employees` behaviour in the Covid Era and the implications for more effective Human Resource Management of working from home employees in Post-Covid time. Data: Primary data were collected ...