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Lyzwinski LN. Organizational and occupational health issues with working remotely during the pandemic: a scoping review of remote work and health. J Occup Health 2024; 66:uiae005. [PMID: 38289710 PMCID: PMC11069417 DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 global pandemic created unprecedented challenges for workers whose work was transferred to the home setting. Little is presently known about the benefits and the challenges associated with global remote work on well-being and mental health, work-life balance, job satisfaction, productivity, home office adaptability, and gender equality. METHODS A scoping review of PubMed/Medline was undertaken in October 2021 to better understand these broad dimensions associated with remote worker health, well-being, and the home office workspace. The review focused on white-collar workers who undertook remote work during each of the lockdown waves from March 2020 to 2021. RESULTS A total of 62 studies were included in the review, which spanned Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. Overall, workers seemed to enjoy remote work, but productivity varied. The main setbacks associated with remote work included feelings of isolation and loneliness, which negatively influenced well-being. Social support from management and contact with colleagues mitigated this. Leadership style also influenced remote worker well-being. Overall, women suffered from lower levels of remote work well-being and productivity, especially if they had children. The home office and its adaptability were integral for successful remote work. Work-life balance was affected in some workers who struggled with heavier workloads or family duties. CONCLUSIONS To promote well-being and successful remote work, isolation and loneliness should be reduced through greater contact with colleagues and managers. Managers should promote family friendly policies that may support work-life balance and reduce gender inequities in remote work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynnette-Natalia Lyzwinski
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, McGill Medical School, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Ekpanyaskul C, Padungtod C, Kleebbua C. Home as a new physical workplace: a causal model for understanding the inextricable link between home environment, work productivity, and well-being. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2023; 61:320-328. [PMID: 36058851 PMCID: PMC10542468 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2022-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The home has become a new physical workplace, and can therefore influence the work, health, and life of workers. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the chronology of the effects of work hazards at home on factors such as workers' health, productivity, and well-being (WB). Information on novice working-from-home (WFH) workers was derived from the "Occupational health of WFH" project. The selected variables in the hypothesis model comprised problems such as perceived indoor environmental quality (IEQ), working conditions (WC), sick house syndrome (SHS), occupational stress (OS), work productivity (WP), and WB. The relationship between these variables was analyzed using a structural equation model. The group analysis results showed the following significant indirect path effects from work environment through WP: IEQ-> SHS->OS->WP. A non-significant direct effect was observed between IEQ and WP. While WC problems could also have a significant direct effect on WP, or be mediated by OS, WP is a significant consequence and a direct effect of WB. In conclusion, the WFH model's causal impact between home environment, WP, and WB is a physiopsychological pathway. Therefore, creating a healthy home environment and WC, along with OS management, comprise important issues for improving productivity and WB for this new work style.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chatchai Ekpanyaskul
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand
| | - Chantana Padungtod
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
| | - Chaiyut Kleebbua
- Division of Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Graduate School, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand
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Trojak RM, Lenger M, Birner A, Maget A, Dalkner N, Lang JN, Fellendorf FT, Ratzenhofer M, Schönthaler EMD, Fleischmann E, Bengesser SA, Queissner R, Platzer M, Tmava-Berisha A, Reininghaus EZ. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Productivity of Workers in the Health Sector between Working in a Hospital and from Home. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5129. [PMID: 37568530 PMCID: PMC10420162 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, workplaces in the medical field experienced changes. Non-frontline workers in the health sector (WHS) were in many cases allowed to work from home (WFH). Changes in work locations have affected the perception of productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic perception. Studies regarding this research field are rare for WHS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the perception of productivity and its impact on symptoms of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second objective was to assess the implications for post-pandemic work settings such as WFH or work scenarios in hospitals during pandemics. METHODS At three points in time during the COVID-19 pandemic (t1; n = 161: April 2020, t2; n = 1598 winter 2020/2021, t3; n = 1879 winter 2021/2022), an online survey of WHS (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, scientific staff) in Austria concerning their productivity in their current workplace (pre- and post-pandemic) was conducted. The online survey included questions about the perceptions of productivity changes (i.e., perceptions of lower, equal, and higher productivity, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic) in different work settings (e.g., working in a hospital or working from home), as well as standardized questionnaires like the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), assessing symptoms of depression in WHS. RESULTS χ2 tests showed that WHS working in hospitals experienced significantly fewer fluctuations in their perceptions of productivity than WHS working from home. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that WHS with a lower perception of productivity tended to have higher self-assessed depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION The possibility of remaining working in the hospital in stressful scenarios like the COVID-19 pandemic might stabilize the feeling of productivity. Moreover, productivity is associated with self-assessed depressive symptoms. Hence, looking into the reasons behind this discrepancy between WHS in hospitals and those working from home might help to improve the home office modality and to create better structures, which are related to symptoms of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie Lenger
- Clinical Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (R.M.T.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (N.D.); (J.N.L.); (F.T.F.); (M.R.); (E.M.D.S.); (E.F.); (S.A.B.); (R.Q.); (M.P.); (A.T.-B.); (E.Z.R.)
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Hettich-Damm N, Petersen J, Zahn D, Baumkoetter R, Wild PS, Muenzel T, Schuster AK, Koenig J, Lackner K, Pfeiffer N, Beutel ME, Engwicht E. Gender Differences and the Impact of Partnership and Children on Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1605826. [PMID: 37284508 PMCID: PMC10239859 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and its protective measures have changed the daily lives of families and may have affected quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to analyze gender differences in QoL and to examine individuals living in different partnership and family constellations. Methods: Data from the Gutenberg COVID-19 cohort study (N = 10,250) with two measurement time points during the pandemic (2020 and 2021) were used. QoL was assessed using the EUROHIS-QOL questionnaire. Descriptive analyses and autoregressive regressions were performed. Results: Women reported lower QoL than men, and QoL was significantly lower at the second measurement time point in both men and women. Older age, male gender, no migration background, and higher socioeconomic status, as well as partnership and children (especially in men), were protective factors for QoL. Women living with children under 14 and single mothers reported significantly lower QoL. Conclusion: Partnership and family were protective factors for QoL. However, women with young children and single mothers are vulnerable groups for lower QoL. Support is especially needed for women with young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Hettich-Damm
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Juila Petersen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniela Zahn
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rieke Baumkoetter
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Partner Site Rhine-Main, DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Philipp S. Wild
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Partner Site Rhine-Main, DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Muenzel
- Department of Cardiology I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas K. Schuster
- Eye Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jochem Koenig
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Karl Lackner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Eye Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manfred E. Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Engwicht
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Blank L, Hock E, Cantrell A, Baxter S, Goyder E. Exploring the relationship between working from home, mental and physical health and wellbeing: a systematic review. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 11:1-100. [PMID: 37452651 DOI: 10.3310/ahff6175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the impact of working from home on health and wellbeing is of great interest to employers and employees alike, with a strong need for up-to-date guidance. The aim of this systematic review was to identify, appraise and synthesise existing research evidence that explores the impact of home working on health and wellbeing outcomes for working people and health inequalities in the population. Methods We conducted a systematic review of qualitative, quantitative and observational studies. We searched databases, reference lists and UK grey literature and completed citation searching of included papers. We extracted and tabulated key data from the included papers and synthesised narratively. Factors associated with the health and wellbeing of people working at home reported in the literature were displayed by constructing mind maps of each individual factor which had been identified. The findings were combined with an a priori model to develop a final model, which was validated in consultation with stakeholders. Results Of 96 studies which were found to meet the inclusion criteria for the review, 30 studies were published before the COVID-19 pandemic and a further 66 were published during the pandemic. The quality of evidence was limited by the study designs employed by the authors, with the majority of studies being cross-sectional surveys (n = 59). For the most part, for studies which collected quantitative data, measures were self-reported. The largest volume of evidence identified consisted of studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic which looked at factors which influence the relationship between working from home and measures relating to mental health and wellbeing. Fifteen studies which considered the potential for working at home to have different effects for different subgroups suggested that working at home may have more negative consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic for women and in particular, mothers. There was very little evidence on age (two studies), ethnicity (one study), education or income (two studies) in terms of moderating home working effects, and very limited evidence from before the COVID-19 pandemic. The concept of enforced working from home and having 'no choice' was reported in only one paper prior to the pandemic and two papers reporting on working from home as a result of COVID-19. However, the concept of lack of choice around working from home was implicit in much of the literature - even though it was not directly measured. There were no clear patterns of wellbeing measures which changed from positive to negative association (or vice versa) during the pandemic. Limitations The quality of the evidence base was very much limited by study designs, particularly for studies published during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of studies consisting of data collected by cross-sectional surveys (often online). Due to the rapidly expanding nature of the evidence on this topic, it is possible that new studies were published after the final citation searches were conducted. Discussion The evidence base for the factors which influence the relationship between home working and health-related outcomes has expanded significantly as a result of the need for those whose work could be done from home to work at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings suggest that there are factors relating to the external context, the role of employers and the circumstances of the employee which contribute to determining whether someone works at home and what the associated impacts on health and wellbeing may be. Learning from the COVID-19 lockdown experience will be important to inform future policy on home and hybrid working. Future work There is a need for better-quality studies of the health impact of home working, in particularly studies which recruit a range of participants who are representative of the working population and which are designed to minimise sampling/recruitment biases and response biases. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (project reference 18/93 PHR Public Health Review Team) and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 11, No. 4. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021253474.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Blank
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Emma Hock
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anna Cantrell
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Susan Baxter
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Elizabeth Goyder
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Wels J, Wielgoszewska B, Moltrecht B, Booth C, Green MJ, Hamilton OKL, Demou E, Di Gessa G, Huggins C, Zhu J, Santorelli G, Silverwood RJ, Kopasker D, Shaw RJ, Hughes A, Patalay P, Steves C, Chaturvedi N, Porteous DJ, Rhead R, Katikireddi SV, Ploubidis GB. Home working and social and mental wellbeing at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: Evidence from 7 longitudinal population surveys. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004214. [PMID: 37104282 PMCID: PMC10138202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home working has increased since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's onset with concerns that it may have adverse health implications. We assessed the association between home working and social and mental wellbeing among the employed population aged 16 to 66 through harmonised analyses of 7 UK longitudinal studies. METHODS AND FINDINGS We estimated associations between home working and measures of psychological distress, low life satisfaction, poor self-rated health, low social contact, and loneliness across 3 different stages of the pandemic (T1 = April to June 2020 -first lockdown, T2 = July to October 2020 -eased restrictions, T3 = November 2020 to March 2021 -second lockdown) using modified Poisson regression and meta-analyses to pool results across studies. We successively adjusted the model for sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex), job characteristics (e.g., sector of activity, pre-pandemic home working propensities), and pre-pandemic health. Among respectively 10,367, 11,585, and 12,179 participants at T1, T2, and T3, we found higher rates of home working at T1 and T3 compared with T2, reflecting lockdown periods. Home working was not associated with psychological distress at T1 (RR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.79 to 1.08) or T2 (RR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.88 to 1.11), but a detrimental association was found with psychological distress at T3 (RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.30). Study limitations include the fact that pre-pandemic home working propensities were derived from external sources, no information was collected on home working dosage and possible reverse association between change in wellbeing and home working likelihood. CONCLUSIONS No clear evidence of an association between home working and mental wellbeing was found, apart from greater risk of psychological distress during the second lockdown, but differences across subgroups (e.g., by sex or level of education) may exist. Longer term shifts to home working might not have adverse impacts on population wellbeing in the absence of pandemic restrictions but further monitoring of health inequalities is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Wels
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre Metices, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bożena Wielgoszewska
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bettina Moltrecht
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Booth
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Green
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia KL Hamilton
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelia Demou
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Di Gessa
- Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Huggins
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, The University of Edinburgh Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jingmin Zhu
- Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Santorelli
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Silverwood
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Kopasker
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Shaw
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Alun Hughes
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Praveetha Patalay
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Steves
- Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital London, United Kingdom
| | - Nishi Chaturvedi
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Porteous
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, The University of Edinburgh Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Rhead
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - George B. Ploubidis
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), Social Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Bodini A, Leo CG, Rissotto A, Mincarone P, Fusco S, Garbarino S, Guarino R, Sabina S, Scoditti E, Tumolo MR, Ponzini G. The medium-term perceived impact of work from home on life and work domains of knowledge workers during COVID-19 pandemic: A survey at the National Research Council of Italy. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1151009. [PMID: 36969653 PMCID: PMC10036346 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1151009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The study aimed to investigate perceptions and determinants of the overall impact on life and work domains among a community of knowledge workers after 18 months of forced work from home due to the pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study with a retrospective assessment was conducted early in 2022 at the National Research Council of Italy. Five single-item questions explored the perceived impact on life domain while a 7-item scale the impact on the work domain. Bivariate analyses and multivariate regressions were used to evaluate the associations between impacts and some key factors defined by 29 ad hoc closed questions. Results More than 95% of the 748 respondents reported a perceived change in at least one item of the life domain. For each of these items, although a large group of subjects has reported that working from home had no impact (from 27 to 55%), in the rest of the sample the positive evaluation (from 30 to 60%) clearly prevailed over the negative one. Overall, most of the subjects (64%) rated the impact on the work experience positively. Relationship with colleagues and participation in the work context were the items where the greatest number of negative rates was concentrated (27 and 25%, respectively). On the other hand, positive perceptions prevailed over both negative perceptions and lack of impact perceptions on the subjects of organizational flexibility and quality of work. The frequency of work-room sharing, home-work commute time and changes in sedentary lifestyle, have been identified as common explanatory factors of perceived impacts on both domains. Conclusion Overall, respondents reported positive rather than negative perceived impacts of forced work from home in both their lives and work. The obtained results suggest that policies to promote the physical and mental health of employees, strengthen inclusion and maintain a sense of community are necessary to improve workers' health and prevent the effects of perceived isolation on research activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Bodini
- Institute for Applied Mathematics and Information Technologies “E. Magenes”, National Research Council, Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Giacomo Leo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Pierpaolo Mincarone
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Stanislao Fusco
- Training and Welfare Unit, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Garbarino
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal/Child Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Guarino
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
| | - Saverio Sabina
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
| | - Egeria Scoditti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tumolo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ponzini
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Brindisi, Italy
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8
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Ryan M, Tuke J, Hutchinson MR, Spencer SJ. Gender-specific effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on scientific publishing productivity: Impact and resilience. Soc Sci Med 2023; 320:115761. [PMID: 36780736 PMCID: PMC9896855 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The SARS-CoV2 pandemic led to drastic social restrictions globally. Early data suggest that women in science have been more adversely affected by these lockdowns than men, with relatively fewer scientific articles authored by women. However, these observations test broad populations with many potential causes of disparity. Australia presents a natural experimental condition where several states of similar demographics and disease impact had differing approaches in their social isolation strategies. The state of Victoria experienced 280 days of lockdowns from 2020 to 2021, whereas the comparable state of New South Wales experienced 107 days, most of these in 2021, and other states even fewer restrictions. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS To assess how the gender balance changed in Australian biomedical publishing with the lockdowns, we created a custom workflow to analyse PubMed data from more than 120,000 published articles submitted in 2019-2021 from Australian authors. RESULTS Broadly, Australian women have been incredibly resilient to the challenges faced by the lockdowns. There was an increase in the number of published articles submitted in 2020 that was equally due to women as men, including from Victoria. On the other hand, articles specifically addressing COVID-19 were significantly less likely to be authored by women than those on other topics, a finding not likely due to particular gender imbalance in virology or viral epidemiology, since publications on HIV followed similar patterns to previous years. By 2021, this imbalance had reversed, with more COVID-19-related papers authored by women than men. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest women from Victoria were less able to rapidly transition to new research early in the pandemic but had accommodated to the new conditions by 2021. This work indicates we need strategies to support women in science as the pandemic continues and to continue to monitor the situation for its impact on vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ryan
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, Australia
| | - J Tuke
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, Australia
| | - M R Hutchinson
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Australia; Davies Livestock Research Centre, University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia; Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing, University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia; Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - S J Spencer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic, 3083, Australia.
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9
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Appel-Meulenbroek R, Voulon T, Bergefurt L, Arkesteijn M, Hoekstra B, Jongens-Van der Schaaf P. Perceived health and productivity when working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work 2023; 76:417-435. [PMID: 37092204 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, office workers were obliged to work from home (WFH). Alongside known positive aspects of home-based telework, it is associated with reduced health and productivity impacts. Its success depends on employee and environmental characteristics. OBJECTIVE This paper fills the gap in knowledge on the mediating role of health between personal and environmental factors and employee productivity, when obliged to work from home full-time. It covers health in full (physical, mental, and social) unlike other WFH studies. METHODS Two large survey-based datasets (gathered April 27th - November 20th, 2020) were analysed resp. with a path model and descriptive analyses. The data provide experiences on health and productivity of resp. 25,058 and 18,859 Dutch office workers from different public organisations, who were obliged to work from home during the COVID-19 lockdowns. RESULTS In general, the workers in the sample perceived their health to be quite good. Path analysis revealed that gender, age, education, the at-home workspace, the presence of children in the household, and perceived organisational support were significantly related to self-perceived productivity. However, most of these effects were found to be mediated by physical, mental, and/or social health indicators. Possible explanations for health issues from the descriptive analyses were sedentary behaviour, unsuitable furniture, having to be at home, social isolation and changed content and frequency of contact with colleagues. CONCLUSION Findings imply that specifically engagement and organisational support of teleworkers are most relevant to steer on to ensure productivity while WFH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thijs Voulon
- Urban Systems & Real Estate, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Lisanne Bergefurt
- Urban Systems & Real Estate, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Arkesteijn
- Management of the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
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10
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Figueiredo S, João R, Alho L, Hipólito J. Psychological Research on Sleep Problems and Adjustment of Working Hours during Teleworking in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14305. [PMID: 36361185 PMCID: PMC9656353 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mandatory home isolation caused by COVID-19 in professional contexts led to a situation that required work activities to be converted into a remote modality. The literature on this topic is very recent, given the pandemic and the uncertainty of virtual and face-to-face work modalities. This study aimed to examine the effects of adults' prolonged exposure to screens on sleep quality, the type of devices used according to age and gender, periods of access to such devices and the impact on performance in the context of telework due to COVID-19. Specifically, the study analyzed the differences in the use of devices and in the time spent using them during and after teleworking between genders and age groups. A total of 127 Portuguese participants answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a questionnaire that we specifically developed to characterize teleworking habits. The results showed differences between men and women regarding the use of devices and its impact on sleep quality, as well as differences in terms of age. These results are discussed in terms of how the current work context may affect performance, sleep, gender differences and the adverse effects of exposure to screens during and after work hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Figueiredo
- Department of Psychology, Psychology Research Centre (CIP), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), 1169-023 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel João
- Department of Psychology, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, 1169-023 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Laura Alho
- Think Wise, 3810-133 Aveiro, Portugal
- Mind—Clinical and Forensic Institute, 1990-019 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Hipólito
- Department of Psychology, Psychology Research Centre (CIP), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, 1169-023 Lisbon, Portugal
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11
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Zhang W, Sun H, Gelfand A, Sawatzky R, Pearce A, Anis AH, Prescott K, Lee C. Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Association With Work Productivity Loss Among Patients and Caregivers. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:e677-e684. [PMID: 35941740 PMCID: PMC9640258 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to measure the association of working from home (WFH) with work productivity loss due to caregiving responsibilities or health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted an online survey of family/friend caregivers (n = 150 WFH/75 non-WFH) and patients (n = 95/91) who worked during the past 7 days in May and July 2020, respectively. Absenteeism and presenteeism were measured using the Valuation of Lost Productivity questionnaire. RESULTS Working from home was associated with higher odds of absenteeism (odds ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 5.77) and presenteeism (2.79; 1.26 to 6.18) among caregivers and higher odds of presenteeism among patients (2.78; 1.13 to 6.84). However, among caregivers with absenteeism more than 0 days, WFH was significantly associated with fewer absent workdays. CONCLUSIONS Working from home was not associated with overall absenteeism and presenteeism in caregivers or patients. Working from home allows a more flexible and inclusive workplace without impacting productivity, although further research is needed.
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12
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Elliott J, Pfeifer G. Relationship between interoceptive sensibility, age, and COVID-19 anxiety during the first national lockdown in the United Kingdom. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:2112-2119. [PMID: 35045774 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2026878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Interoception refers to the multidimensional representation of the internal states of the body, including sensation, appraisal, integration, and regulation. COVID-19 targets internal respiratory, temperature and gastrointestinal systems, thus posing a threat to humans that causes anxiety. Here, we examined the relationship between interoceptive sensibility and COVID-19 anxiety during the first UK national lockdown, when uncertainties surrounding the virus were at their peak.Methods: Between April and July 2020, N = 232 individuals across four age-categories completed questionnaires measuring interoceptive sensibility (BPQ-SF and MAIA-2), an adapted State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess COVID-19 anxiety, and a Perceived Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire.Results: Higher scores on the BPQ-SF were related to higher levels of COVID-19 anxiety, while the MAIA-2 subscales Not Worrying, Attention Regulation, and Trusting of bodily signals were related to lower levels of COVID-19 anxiety. Age was related to lower levels of COVID-19 anxiety yet showed no significant (Bonferroni-corrected) relationship with interoceptive dimensions. Trait anxiety, Not Worrying, perceived quality of work, and COVID-19-related media consumption emerged as significant predictors of COVID-19 anxiety.Conclusion: Findings suggest that interoceptive dimensions differentially relate to COVID-19 anxiety irrespective of age, with implications for managing health anxiety and adaptive behaviour during a pandemic across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Elliott
- Leeds School of Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Gaby Pfeifer
- Leeds School of Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
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13
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Hartner-Tiefenthaler M, Zedlacher E, el Sehity TJ. Remote workers’ free associations with working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria: The interaction between children and gender. Front Psychol 2022; 13:859020. [PMID: 35996573 PMCID: PMC9391219 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.859020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Empirical evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic shows that women carried the major burden of additional housework in families. In a mixed-methods study, we investigate female and male remote workers’ experiences of working from home (WFH) during the pandemic. We used the free association technique to uncover remote workers’ representations about WFH (i.e., workers’ reflection of subjective experiences). Based on a sample of 283 Austrian remote workers cohabitating with their intimate partners our findings revealed that in line with traditional social roles, men and women in parent roles are likely to experience WFH differently: Mothers’ representations about WFH emphasize perceived incompatibility between the work and non-work sphere whereas fathers’ representations highlight work-family facilitation of WFH. However, gender differences were also prevalent for women and men without children: Women seem to particularly benefit from more concentration at home, whereas men consider WFH as more efficient, practical and leading to less work. Thus, our findings imply that gender affected perceptions of WFH during the pandemic independently from children, but children seemed to increase the existing burden, in particular for women. To conclude, WFH can generally be seen as an enabler to reduce work-life/family conflict for both women and men, but bears different challenges based on the contextual (family) situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Hartner-Tiefenthaler
- Labor Science and Organization, Institute of Management Science, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Martina Hartner-Tiefenthaler,
| | - Eva Zedlacher
- Department of Business and Management, Webster Vienna Private University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tarek Josef el Sehity
- Institute of Business and Economic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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14
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Vianna Franco MP, Molnár O, Dorninger C, Laciny A, Treven M, Weger J, Albuquerque EDME, Cazzolla Gatti R, Villanueva Hernandez LA, Jakab M, Marizzi C, Menéndez LP, Poliseli L, Rodríguez HB, Caniglia G. Diversity regained: Precautionary approaches to COVID-19 as a phenomenon of the total environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 825:154029. [PMID: 35202694 PMCID: PMC8861146 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
As COVID-19 emerged as a phenomenon of the total environment, and despite the intertwined and complex relationships that make humanity an organic part of the Bio- and Geospheres, the majority of our responses to it have been corrective in character, with few or no consideration for unintended consequences which bring about further vulnerability to unanticipated global events. Tackling COVID-19 entails a systemic and precautionary approach to human-nature relations, which we frame as regaining diversity in the Geo-, Bio-, and Anthropospheres. Its implementation requires nothing short of an overhaul in the way we interact with and build knowledge from natural and social environments. Hence, we discuss the urgency of shifting from current to precautionary approaches to COVID-19 and look, through the lens of diversity, at the anticipated benefits in four systems crucially affecting and affected by the pandemic: health, land, knowledge and innovation. Our reflections offer a glimpse of the sort of changes needed, from pursuing planetary health and creating more harmonious forms of land use to providing a multi-level platform for other ways of knowing/understanding and turning innovation into a source of global public goods. These exemplary initiatives introduce and solidify systemic thinking in policymaking and move priorities from reaction-based strategies to precautionary frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco P Vianna Franco
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Orsolya Molnár
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria.
| | - Christian Dorninger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria; Institute of Social Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Alice Laciny
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Marco Treven
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Jacob Weger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Eduardo da Motta E Albuquerque
- Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | | | - Manuel Jakab
- Department for Academic Communication, Sigmund Freud University, Freudpl. 1, Vienna 1020, Austria
| | - Christine Marizzi
- BioBus, 1361 Amsterdam Avenue, Ste 340, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Lumila Paula Menéndez
- Department of Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Regina-Pacis-Weg 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Luana Poliseli
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | | | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
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15
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Moens E, Lippens L, Sterkens P, Weytjens J, Baert S. The COVID-19 crisis and telework: a research survey on experiences, expectations and hopes. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2022; 23:729-753. [PMID: 34761337 DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3596696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
While a considerable number of employees across the globe are being forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 crisis, it is a guessing game as to how they are experiencing this current surge in telework. Therefore, we examined employee perceptions of telework on various life and career aspects, distinguishing between typical and extended telework during the COVID-19 crisis. To this end, we conducted a state-of-the-art web survey among Flemish employees. Notwithstanding this exceptional time of sudden, obligatory and high-intensity telework, our respondents mainly attribute positive characteristics to telework, such as increased efficiency and a lower risk of burnout. The results also suggest that the overwhelming majority of the surveyed employees believe that telework (85%) and digital conferencing (81%) are here to stay. In contrast, some fear that telework diminishes their promotion opportunities and weakens ties with their colleagues and employer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Moens
- Ghent University, Sint-Pietersplein 6, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Louis Lippens
- Ghent University, Sint-Pietersplein 6, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Stijn Baert
- Ghent University, Sint-Pietersplein 6, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
- GLO, Essen, Germany
- IZA, Bonn, Germany
- IMISCOE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Moens E, Lippens L, Sterkens P, Weytjens J, Baert S. The COVID-19 crisis and telework: a research survey on experiences, expectations and hopes. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2022; 23:729-753. [PMID: 34761337 PMCID: PMC8580807 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-021-01392-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
While a considerable number of employees across the globe are being forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 crisis, it is a guessing game as to how they are experiencing this current surge in telework. Therefore, we examined employee perceptions of telework on various life and career aspects, distinguishing between typical and extended telework during the COVID-19 crisis. To this end, we conducted a state-of-the-art web survey among Flemish employees. Notwithstanding this exceptional time of sudden, obligatory and high-intensity telework, our respondents mainly attribute positive characteristics to telework, such as increased efficiency and a lower risk of burnout. The results also suggest that the overwhelming majority of the surveyed employees believe that telework (85%) and digital conferencing (81%) are here to stay. In contrast, some fear that telework diminishes their promotion opportunities and weakens ties with their colleagues and employer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Moens
- Ghent University, Sint-Pietersplein 6, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Louis Lippens
- Ghent University, Sint-Pietersplein 6, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Stijn Baert
- Ghent University, Sint-Pietersplein 6, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
- GLO, Essen, Germany
- IZA, Bonn, Germany
- IMISCOE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Pelly D, Daly M, Delaney L, Doyle O. Worker Stress, Burnout, and Wellbeing Before and During the COVID-19 Restrictions in the United Kingdom. Front Psychol 2022; 13:823080. [PMID: 35496189 PMCID: PMC9040160 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.823080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 created a transformational shift in the working environment for much of the labour force, yet its impact on workers is unclear. This study uses longitudinal data to examine the wellbeing of 621 full-time workers assessed before (November 2019-February 2020) and during (May-June 2020) the first lockdown in the United Kingdom. We employ fixed effects analyses to investigate the impact of the restrictions and mandatory homeworking on cognitive, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. Within the sample, the rate of full-time homeworking increased from 2 to 74% between waves. We identify significant changes in 9 of the 15 measures assessed, with a general pattern of improvements in wellbeing during lockdown. Overall levels of stress, self-rated mental health, positive emotions and life and job satisfaction are not adversely affected by the restrictions. There is a reduction in the burnout symptoms of disengagement (-0.13 sd) and exhaustion (-0.20 sd) and in the frequency with which negative emotions are experienced at work (-0.15 sd). Workers feel more autonomous (+0.09 sd), closer to their co-workers (+0.10 sd), and more attached to their organisations (+0.19 sd). However, homelife satisfaction declines (-0.11 sd). These findings highlight the possibility that the COVID-19 pandemic and large-scale transition to homeworking was associated with unchanged or improved worker wellbeing. This study has important implications for governments and employers regarding a global shift to homeworking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Pelly
- Department of Economics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Daly
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Liam Delaney
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Orla Doyle
- Department of Economics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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18
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Goldflam K, Crichton IC, Coughlin RF, Bod J, Agrawal P, Bradby C, Tsyrulnik A. Meeting expectations: An exploration of academic emergency medicine faculty experiences and preferences in the virtual meeting environment by age, gender and parental status. AEM EDUCATION AND TRAINING 2022; 6:e10724. [PMID: 35368503 PMCID: PMC8908304 DOI: 10.1002/aet2.10724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual meetings became the norm in academic emergency medicine (EM) departments. This study explores the experiences of academic EM faculty within this environment. METHODS In 2021, authors surveyed a cross-sectional convenience sample of EM faculty using a mixed-methods approach to explore perceptions of the virtual meeting environment. Authors reported data on a five-point Likert scale, summarized as percentages, and calculated differences using Pearson's chi-squared test, where p < 0.05 was significant. Free text responses were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS Two-hundred-fifty-nine responses were collected, (female [55.6%], ≤40 years old, [39.8%]) of which 33.2% had children ≤7 years old. Most respondents felt the total number of virtual meetings had increased and were more likely to happen outside of regular business hours compared to in-person meetings. Most faculty preferred meetings during regular hours and liked the virtual format overall. Younger faculty respondents were more polarized in their preferences of timing of meetings and reported more pressure to accept meetings outside of regular hours. Female respondents with young children were more likely to dislike meetings outside regular hours and to have declined them. Women faculty, younger faculty, and women faculty with young children were significantly more likely to agree that women had been "more impacted by the new virtual work environment." Qualitative themes highlighting the flexibility provided by the virtual work environment and decreased commuting time, though many felt communication was limited in virtual meetings. CONCLUSIONS Academic EM faculty mostly preferred keeping meetings during regular business hours and in a virtual format. Experiences varied by age but not by gender overall. Women with young children reported greater challenges than women without. Men did not differ by parental status. The virtual format provided increased flexibility but limited communication and engagement. Academic EM departments may use this data to inform future meeting practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Goldflam
- Department of Emergency MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | | | - Ryan F. Coughlin
- Department of Emergency MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Jessica Bod
- Department of Emergency MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Pooja Agrawal
- Department of Emergency MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Cassandra Bradby
- Department of Emergency MedicineThe Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina UniversityGreenvilleNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Alina Tsyrulnik
- Department of Emergency MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
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19
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Association between mobile work and work ability: a longitudinal study under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1401-1413. [PMID: 35298684 PMCID: PMC8929263 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01849-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study examines the effect of mobile work on work ability as direct predictor and as factor moderating workplace stressors and resources. Originally, the study focused on the effects of mobile work on work ability in a mobile test group compared to office workers. As the study period of 1 year collided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions, we can now explore the association of mobile work and work ability before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This longitudinal, exploratory study took place in a medium-sized company in the social insurance sector in Germany. We used a mixed-methods design (online survey and focus group interviews) with two survey dates 1 year apart (T0: summer/autumn 2019 (before COVID-19 pandemic), T1: summer 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic, after first strict lockdown)). Quantitative data, which are reported here, were collected by means of an online questionnaire, which includes questions on mobile work and validated measures for work-related stressors and resources and work ability. Non-parametric tests, regression analysis, and logistic regression models were used for data analysis. Results The linked data set of both survey dates includes N = 102 persons (men: 37%, mean age: 41–50 years). Interestingly, we found an improvement in work ability over the course of the study (p = 0.007), although it included the first and most drastic COVID-19 restrictions in Germany. Before the pandemic, correlations between work ability and work-related stressors (e.g., work–privacy conflicts) and resources (e.g., sense of community) were evident. Some of these factors are moderated by mobile work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile work was identified as independent factor for work ability. In addition, technology competence conviction gained importance as a personal resource in our cohort. Conclusions Work ability can be influenced by many factors. Our study, which allowed for a comparison of work ability before and during COVID-19 pandemic, suggests that mobile work can be especially helpful to maintain work ability in times of change. Our findings support the notion that—under normal conditions—mobile work can influence work ability via work-related stressors and resources. In times of changes, it can have an independent effect on work ability. It must be assumed that the effects can be highly individual or context-specific.
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20
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Hunter JR, Meiring RM, Cripps A, Suppiah HT, Vicendese D, Kingsley MI, Gordon BA. Relationships between Physical Activity, Work Ability, Absenteeism and Presenteeism in Australian and New Zealand Adults during COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12563. [PMID: 34886290 PMCID: PMC8657020 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Public health movement and social restrictions imposed by the Australian and New Zealand governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the working environment and may have affected health behaviours, work ability, and job performance. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between health behaviours and work ability and performance during COVID-19 restrictions and if health behaviours were related to demographic or population factors. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather responses from 433 adult employees in Australia and New Zealand between June and August 2020. The survey requested demographic information and used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Work Ability Index, and the World Health Organisation's Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. Multivariate regression models were used to explore relationships between the identified variables while controlling for several possible confounders. Being sufficiently physically active was associated with higher reported physical (aOR = 2.1; p = 0.001) and mental work abilities (aOR = 1.8; p = 0.007) and self-reported job performance (i.e., lower presenteeism) (median +7.42%; p = 0.03). Part-time employees were 56% less likely (p = 0.002) to report a good or very good mental work ability. Those with existing medical conditions were 14% less likely (p = 0.008) to be sufficiently active and 80% less likely (p = 0.002) to report rather good or very good physical work ability. Being sufficiently active was associated with higher physical and mental work abilities and better job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers should support opportunities for regular physical activity and provide specific support to individuals with medical conditions or in part-time employment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayden R. Hunter
- Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo 3552, Australia; (M.I.K.); (B.A.G.)
| | - Rebecca M. Meiring
- Department of Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
- Movement Physiology Research Laboratory, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Ashley Cripps
- School of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle 6160, Australia;
| | - Haresh T. Suppiah
- Sport and Exercise Science, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia;
| | - Don Vicendese
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Australia;
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton 3053, Australia
| | - Michael I. Kingsley
- Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo 3552, Australia; (M.I.K.); (B.A.G.)
- Department of Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
| | - Brett A. Gordon
- Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo 3552, Australia; (M.I.K.); (B.A.G.)
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21
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Okabe‐Miyamoto K, Durnell E, Howell RT, Zizi M. Did zoom bomb? Negative video conferencing meetings during
COVID
‐19 undermined worker subjective productivity. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/hbe2.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Durnell
- Aerendir Social Research Mountain View California USA
| | - Ryan T. Howell
- Department of Psychology San Francisco State University San Francisco California USA
| | - Martin Zizi
- Aerendir Social Research Mountain View California USA
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22
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Frumkin H. COVID-19, the Built Environment, and Health. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:75001. [PMID: 34288733 PMCID: PMC8294798 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the dawn of cities, the built environment has both affected infectious disease transmission and evolved in response to infectious diseases. COVID-19 illustrates both dynamics. The pandemic presented an opportunity to implement health promotion and disease prevention strategies in numerous elements of the built environment. OBJECTIVES This commentary aims to identify features of the built environment that affect the risk of COVID-19 as well as to identify elements of the pandemic response with implications for the built environment (and, therefore, for long-term public health). DISCUSSION Built environment risk factors for COVID-19 transmission include crowding, poverty, and racism (as they manifest in housing and neighborhood features), poor indoor air circulation, and ambient air pollution. Potential long-term implications of COVID-19 for the built environment include changes in building design, increased teleworking, reconfigured streets, changing modes of travel, provision of parks and greenspace, and population shifts out of urban centers. Although it is too early to predict with confidence which of these responses may persist, identifying and monitoring them can help health professionals, architects, urban planners, and decision makers, as well as members of the public, optimize healthy built environments during and after recovery from the pandemic. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8888.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Frumkin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
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23
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Working and Learning during the COVID-19 Confinement: An Exploratory Analysis with a Small Sample from Portugal. INFORMATICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/informatics8030044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemiological situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to efforts to mitigate the transmission of the infection, forcing workers and students to stay at home. Universities closed, as did many businesses, forcing education and work to adapt to the new situation. While for some people it was a positive experience, for others it was not. This article analyzes the responses of 89 respondents, over 18 years old, in teleworking or enrolled in university online education, in a survey at the beginning of 2021, when Portugal was in a new state of emergency. Variables such as gender, age and parenthood were used, as well as ownership of equipment, own workspace, and quality of internet, comparing distance learning/work with traditional methods and measuring levels of satisfaction and willingness to adopt this model in the future. These results suggest an association of gender and parenting in the valuation of telework/distance education; women were more positive than men and participants with children were more positive than participants without children. The same was the case for respondents with their own workspace and better-quality internet. There is a strong relation between paternity and the preference for the distance model, in the sense of valuing the distance model, as well as a relation between those who have their own work space and the appreciation of the distance model. In general, respondents to our survey showed that they are not fond of adopting telework/distance learning in the future.
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