Working from home: Cognitive irritation as mediator of the link between perceived privacy and sleep problems

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many employees have been required to work full- or part-time at home. This paper investigates the impact of perceived privacy on cognitive irritation and sleep problems among employees who worked from home during the pandemic. Additionally, we analyzed the role of cognitive irritation as a mediator between privacy and sleep problems. We created a cross-sectional questionnaire, which was completed by 293 employees who performed home-based telework in German-speaking Switzerland. A mediation analysis was then conducted using a multiple regression analysis. A test of the indirect effect showed a significant mediation path from perceived privacy via cognitive irritation to sleep problems. Hence, the negative indirect effect indicates that perceived privacy is an important job resource that may prevent sleep problems. Further research is needed regarding home-based telework and recovery strategies to prevent sleep problems.

Walking the tightrope between work and home: the role of job/home resources in the relation between job/home demands and employee health and well-being

“…Since the public lockdown forced most employees to start mandatory working from home and effectively distanced themselves socially for a long time, the blurred boundary between work and private life would be created 11) . Over time, there are two types of job strain: cognitive and emotional strain 36,37) . Specifically, a perceived imbalance between private life and work pressure (i.e., lack of psychological detachment from work) would increase cognitive and emotional strain of teleworkers 36,37) , thereby intensifying the job demands.…”

“…Over time, there are two types of job strain: cognitive and emotional strain 36,37) . Specifically, a perceived imbalance between private life and work pressure (i.e., lack of psychological detachment from work) would increase cognitive and emotional strain of teleworkers 36,37) , thereby intensifying the job demands. Moreover, as suggested by Fosslien and Duffy 38) , long-time video conferencing may trigger a new hurdle to teleworkers, namely "Zoom fatigue", a phenomenon of emotional strain 38) .…”

Increased Working From Home in Vocational Counseling Psychologists During COVID-19: Associated Change in Productivity and Job Satisfaction

“…A lower distractibility in WFH compared to working on-site may point to more privacy during WFH. A recent study on the role of privacy in WFH showed a significant indirect effect of the level of privacy in WFH via cognitive irritation, indicating a lack of detachment from work issues, resulting in sleeping problems ( Wütschert et al, 2021 ). Hence, distractibility in WFH in relation to work on-site is not only closely linked to productivity but—as a proxy to privacy in WFH and work on-site—also to recovery from work.…”

Future Teleworking Inclinations Post-COVID-19: Examining the Role of Teleworking Conditions and Perceived Productivity

“…In the context of COVID-19 teleworking, there is some evidence that teleworkers experience privacy-related advantages, such as better concentration, resulting in increased efficiency, greater productivity ( Pfnür et al, 2021 ), and reduced occupational stress (e.g., Baert et al, 2020 ). Further, other research ( Ipsen et al, 2020 ; Xiao et al, 2021 ; Wütschert et al, 2021 ) points to differences in work privacy fit at home across samples. For example, the item “getting distracted by people at home” was identified for some as an aspect that negatively affected telework during the pandemic, whereas for others the items entitled “getting time to focus on my work without interruptions by other people” and “don’t have anyone watch[ing] me” were positive aspects of telework in comparison to office work ( Ipsen et al, 2020 ).…”