A systematic review of working conditions and occupational health in home office

Wütschert, Milena Sina; Romano-Pereira, Diana; Suter, Livia; Schulze, Hartmut

doi:10.3233/wor-205239

Cited by 30 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…We also observed that physical HRQOL decreased with more time passed since the implementation of pandemic measures in Switzerland. Discontinuation of commuting to the office and thus increased sedentary behaviour over time could be one reason [ 57 ], but also the lack of ergonomic work environments at home might have caused health issues such as back pain [ 58 – 60 ]. We found that individuals who were in isolation at time of the survey or who have already had COVID-19 were at risk for low physical HRQOL, likely because staying at home and the impact being/having been sick with COVID-19 prevented them from physical activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health-related quality of life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2023

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Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic forced people to give up their daily routines and adjust to new circumstances. This might have affected health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to compare HRQOL during the first COVID-19 wave in 2020 to HRQOL before the pandemic and to identify determinants of HRQOL during the pandemic in Switzerland. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey during the pandemic (between May and July 2020; CoWELL sample; convenience sample). Before the pandemic (2015–2016), we had conducted a cross-sectional paper-based survey among a representative random sample of the Swiss general population (SGP sample). In both samples, we assessed physical and mental HRQOL (Short Form-36) and socio-demographic characteristics. In the CoWELL sample, we additionally assessed health- and COVID-19-related characteristics. Data were analysed using linear regressions. Results The CoWELL sample included 1581 participants (76% women; mean age = 43 years, SD = 14 years) and the SGP sample 1209 participants (58% women, mean age = 49 years, SD = 15 years). Adjusted for sex, age, and education, the CoWELL sample reported higher physical HRQOL (PCS, +5.8 (95% CI: 5.1, 6.6), p < 0.001) and lower mental HRQOL (MCS, −6.9 (−7.8, −6.0), p < 0.001) than the SGP sample. In the CoWELL sample, especially persons with lower health literacy, who had no support network or who have had COVID-19, reported lower HRQOL. Discussion Aspects unique to the COVID-19 pandemic affected HRQOL. Vulnerable persons such as those having had COVID-19, less support opportunities, and with lower health literacy are especially prone to impaired HRQOL during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health-related quality of life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2023

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“…It can, therefore, be seen that it is precisely the second territory to which the home office can be assigned those harbors certain potential for conflict regarding the perceived privacy in home office. Vieira and Meirinhos ( 2021 ) and Wütschert et al ( 2021 ) studies provided additional evidence that perceived privacy among home-based teleworkers may play a supporting role in mental health. The construct of perceived privacy is associated with disturbance and distraction and represents the perceived control of outside stimuli regarding to visual privacy and acoustic privacy (Wohlers and Hertel 2017 ; Elsbach and Pratt 2007 ; Haapakangas et al 2018a , b ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Perceived privacy in home office and musculoskeletal complaints: a test of family–work conflict, work–family conflict, and relaxation as mediators

Wütschert

Pereira²,

Eggli³

et al. 2022

SN Soc Sci

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Many employees have had to telework all year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though working from home has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages worth to consider. Lack of privacy is a relevant factor when it comes to the development of severe musculoskelatal issues. This study investigated the link between perceived privacy in home office and musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs). Family–work conflict (FWC), work–family conflict (WFC), and relaxation were tested as potential mediators for the relationship between perceived privacy and MSCs. The present study’s questionnaire was filled out by 287 teleworking employees. Hypotheses were tested via multiple mediation analyses examining levels of perceived privacy in home office, and its relationship on MSCs. Furthermore, the underlying effect of FWC, WFC, and MSCs were tested with a structural equation model. As assumed, lack of privacy while working at home was linked to individuals more frequently experiencing MSCs. However, the structural equation model showed no significant mediation effect. Work design efforts must address privacy while employees perform telework at home to prevent MSCs.

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“…Studies have previously pointed out the lack of organizational support for teleworkers when it comes to providing ergonomic equipment as well as support and guidance in installation and usage (35). Research suggests that besides providing ergonomic furniture and equipment, education on how to properly set up workstations may be of as much importance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders

Milaković,

Koren,

Bradvica-Kelava

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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Telework has become considerably more common during the ongoing pandemic. Although working remotely may have numerous advantages, negative impacts on workers’ health and safety should also be considered. Telework is a major contributor to the development or aggravation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders where unsuited workstation ergonomics, sedentary behavior, as well as psychosocial and organizational factors play a role. This paper aims to identify telework-related risks and their impact on musculoskeletal health as well as provide recommendations that may be useful in constructing future preventive measures. A comprehensive literature search regarding the topic has been performed. Teleworkers experience musculoskeletal pain and discomfort mostly in low back area, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Poor ergonomic solutions when it comes to workstation design resulting in prolonged sitting in non-neutral positions contribute to the development and aggravation of musculoskeletal disorders in teleworkers. Working with inadequately placed screens and laptops and sitting in maladjusted seats without usual functionalities and ergonomic support is associated with musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. Extended working hours with fewer rest periods to meet increased work demands, social isolation, and lack of support from work colleagues and superiors as well as blurred work-home boundaries and omnipresence of work are commonly stated psychosocial and organizational factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Environmental factors such as poor lighting and glare, inadequate room temperature, and ventilation or noise, are frequently overlooked remote workstation risk factors. For a certain part of workers, telework will remain a common way of work in the post-pandemic period. Therefore, it is essential to identify telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and address them with timely preventive measures tailored to each remote workstation’s risks and individual workers’ needs.

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A systematic review of working conditions and occupational health in home office

Cited by 30 publications

References 47 publications

Health-related quality of life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

Health-related quality of life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

Perceived privacy in home office and musculoskeletal complaints: a test of family–work conflict, work–family conflict, and relaxation as mediators

Telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders

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