Working From Home During COVID-19

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate whether work-family conflict and/or family-work conflict mediated the relationship between workplace characteristics and general health and job satisfaction in a sample of workers working from home in a recommended/mandatory context due to COVID-19 measures. Methods: Data were collected via online questionnaire as part of the Employees Working from Home study. Analyses in this article used data collected at 2 time points 6 months apart, including 965 complete responses from the first questionnaire and 451 complete responses from the second questionnaire. Results: Relationships between predictor and outcome variables were in the directions expected, and both work-family conflict and family-work conflict mediated these relationships. Conclusions: Work-life interaction partly explains the relationship between work characteristics and general health and job satisfaction health in a population undertaking involuntary working from home.

Do work–family conflict or family–work conflict mediate relationships between work‐related hazards and stress and pain?

“…For men, high physical demands and relatively high WFC were associated with increased levels of low back pain. Mediation of the relationships between work‐related hazards and general health and job satisfaction by WFC has also been found in groups undertaking mandated work from home 27 …”

“…13,14,25,26 Further work has explored whether WFC or FWC act as mediators or moderators of the relationships between workplace hazards and musculoskeletal pain. 15,16,27 Weale et al 15 reported WFC to mediate relationships between a number of work-related hazards (high physical demands, high workload, poor relationships with management, poor safety climate, and a poor physical work environment) and musculoskeletal pain. In a later study, Weale et al 16 found WFC moderated the relationship between workplace hazards and musculoskeletal pain; however, results differed for men and women.…”

“…Mediation of the relationships between work-related hazards and general health and job satisfaction by WFC has also been found in groups undertaking mandated work from home. 27 Data for the current study was collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, at times during which many workers were required to work from home if they were able to do so, 28 to limit virus transmission before the development and administration of effective vaccines. 29,30 Before the pandemic, work from home was frequently a negotiated and agreed arrangement between workers and management, limited to those workers with high autonomy in their work.…”

“…Several psychosocial mechanisms through which work from home measures may affect workers' physical and mental health have been identified, 29,31,32 and evidence indicates negative health consequences arise for workers working from home in the pandemic context. 27,[33][34][35][36] Factors that may contribute to adverse health outcomes for individuals include needing to undertake caring duties whilst working and the absence of a suitable working environment due to an inappropriate physical or psychosocial workspace.…”

“…Previous research exploring relationships between WFC and MSDs has found poor work–life interaction is associated with increased reports of musculoskeletal pain 13,14,25,26 . Further work has explored whether WFC or FWC act as mediators or moderators of the relationships between workplace hazards and musculoskeletal pain 15,16,27 . Weale et al 15 reported WFC to mediate relationships between a number of work‐related hazards (high physical demands, high workload, poor relationships with management, poor safety climate, and a poor physical work environment) and musculoskeletal pain.…”