Trajectory of Telework in a Brazilian Labor Court During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective To compare ergonomic and psychosocial risks and the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and common mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic according to work modality. Methods A longitudinal study was carried out with 659 employees between 2021 and 2022. The data were collected via web with self-administered questionnaires. The Wilcoxon and repeated-measure ANOVA tests were used. Results The participants who started teleworking during the pandemic showed significant improvements in their workstations and worsening of the risks associated with rest breaks after returning to face-to-face work. Employees in telework presented a significant reduction in the intensity of musculoskeletal complaints in the last seven days compared to those who returned to face-to-face work. Conclusions Although there was a reduction in the ergonomic risk after returning to face-to-face work, telework was related to better working and health conditions.