23 February 2022
Takeaways on the opportunities and challenges of working remotely, published in a special issue of the journal WORK
“While the trajectory of COVID-19 is still uncertain, one thing is clear: WFH is here to stay. There is a pressing need to optimize this evolving workplace modality for the best interests of workers, organizations, and economies,” said Co-Guest Editor Kermit Davis, PhD.
Co-Guest Editor Susan Kotowski, PhD, added, “The research in this issue explores lessons learned about the WFH pivot, draws conclusions about the challenges and opportunities, and makes recommendations on how to optimize experiences and outcomes. The consistency of the findings highlights the opportunity for a positive impact.”
Both Guest Editors are University of Cincinnati (OH, USA) faculty members, Dr. Davis at the Department of Environmental and Public Health Science, College of Medicine, and Dr. Kotowski at the Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences.
Rich with actionable insights, this special issue includes articles on research conducted around the world and covers an array of industries, (e.g., Education, Information Technology, Healthcare). Top takeaways include:
• WFH offers more flexibility, autonomy, and efficiency, without a loss of productivity.
• The vast majority of study participants reported suffering varying degrees of discomfort and stress due to a range of factors: the blurring of the boundaries between work and home life, burnout, isolation, distractions, technical inequities, physical challenges (e.g., musculoskeletal, vision, sleep disorders), and/or reduced income.
• Women, especially those with children at home, are more likely to experience burnout than men, who typically shoulder fewer family-care responsibilities. Levels of stress and burnout are correlated with job satisfaction.
• Employees across the spectrum of industries and geographies are similarly affected. However, teachers, students, and professors have been especially adversely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Home-work environments are more variable than traditional offices and affect the physical and mental well-being of employees. Awkward postures, repetitive movements, visual strain, and a long period of continuous work without appropriate breaks needed for musculoskeletal relaxation are some of the ergonomics risks.
• Sustaining a cohesive workplace culture is difficult with a remote workforce, without the formal and informal opportunities for socialization and engagement that on-site work provide.
Recommendations culled from the full issue include:
• Remote-first organizations must prioritize relationship-building and culture. To maintain productive, happy, and healthy workforces, leaders of remote organizations must focus on empowering employees and employing creative approaches for employee engagement. The following factors are vital to success: trust in employees; embracing flexibility; strong interpersonal relationships; investment in quality tools and technology; hiring for culture fit; culture-focused mentorship; strategic in-person encounters; and continuous culture improvement.
• Systematic and routine evaluations of home office environments should look at the ergonomics of employee workstations, as well as fix technology disparities. Companies must provide employees with equipment and support equivalent to an in-office environment (e.g., desktop computer or laptop with peripherals, monitor, keyboard, mouse, adjustable chair and worksurface, and proper lighting to stave off visual strain.) Ergonomics training and professional evaluation of the work environment (proper workspace setup, equipment adjustment, and best practices that include evaluating lighting and taking routine breaks) should be provided on a routine basis.
With these issues addressed, WFH can be successful with respect to productivity, communication, and work-life balance, as one case study published in the issue demonstrates. Dr. Kotowski noted: "Working from home is both the present and the future. It is a complex environment that will demand the attention of both the employer and employee to ensure benefits for both."
Continuing with better understanding working from home, the Editor-in-Chief of WORK, Karen Jacobs, EdD, OT, OTR, CPE, FAOTA, and colleague Kirsten Peterson Beshay, OTD, MA, OTR/L, received a grant from the Office Ergonomics Research Committee (OERC) to conduct a six-month study on individuals working from home 90% of the time who use the computer more than 4 hours daily and have either an iPhone or Android phone (2019-2021 version). Participants will receive an honorarium and a Garmin smart watch after completion of the study. Expression of interest in participating in the study can be shred at: https://bostonu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9EmMpWro6otdsIm
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
Special Issue: Working from Home
Guest Editors: Kermit Davis, PhD, and Susan Kotowski, PhD
WORK, Volume 71, Issue 2 (February 2022) published by IOS Press
Case Study: “Centric consulting case study: Culture is the key to remote work success,” by Larry English (https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-210701).
View the related video, An assessment of ergonomic issues in the home offices of university employees sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at https://workjournal.org/2021-learn-work-webinars.
Full text of all articles in the special issue and other information are available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact Diana Murray +1 718-640-5678 or d.murray@iospress.com. The Guest Editors and authors may be contacted via Kermit Davis at Kermit.davis@uc.edu, Susan Kotowski at susan.kotowski@uc.edu, or Karen Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief, at kjacobs@bu.edu.
ABOUT WORK: A JOURNAL OF PREVENTION, ASSESSMENT & REHABILITATION
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal that publishes high quality peer-reviewed articles covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice. http://workjournal.org
ABOUT IOS PRESS
IOS Press is an independent international scientific, technical, medical (STM) publishing house established in 1987 in Amsterdam. We produce around 90 journals and 70 books annually in a broad range of subject categories, primarily specializing in biomedical and life sciences (including neurosciences, medical informatics, cancer research, rehabilitation) and physical sciences (including computer sciences, artificial intelligence, engineering). In addition, we offer specialized services that support scientific advancement. iospress.com
