Work - Volume 71, issue 2

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213628

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 293-294, 2022

Authors: English, Larry

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Centric Consulting is a business and technology consulting firm that employs over 1,100 people across the U.S. and India. It was founded in 1999 as a virtual-first organization. With more than two decades of success as a remote-first company, Centric offers valuable insight into how other organizations can continue to find success and retain top talent in a virtual or hybrid setting. OBJECTIVE: This case study unpacks the elements necessary for success as a virtual-first organization, explaining why each element is important and how business leaders can achieve them. CASE REPORT: This …case study identifies the following factors as vital to success for remote organizations: 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. CONCLUSION: Remote-first organizations must prioritize relationship-building and culture. Leaders of remote organizations must focus on empowering employees. Show more

Keywords: Work from home, future of work, hybrid workplace, remote

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210701

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 295-298, 2022

Authors: Black, Nancy L. | St-Onge, Samuelle

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Computer-intensive office work associations with health challenges may intensify following COVID-19 pandemic-related changes to home-based office work. OBJECTIVE: To determine working conditions, perception and physical elements affecting health after pivoting to full time home-work. METHODS: An online questionnaire addressed physical, productivity, motivation, and work-practice factors. Photos of the worker in their home-work environment showed side and front-back perspectives. RESULTS: Sixteen questionnaires were received, and 12 respondents supplied photos. Home and office workplace differences varied. Ten felt productivity was affected, most often positively. Four noted increased pain or fatigue intensity, particularly in the eyes, …neck / head, lower back, and shoulders. Working posture was not optimal; six didn’t use traditional chair-sitting for up to half the day. Forward and backward trunk inclination accounted for at least 10% of the workday for 12 respondents; lateral inclination affected ten and eight had unsupported legs. Fifteen used an adjustable chair, but photos revealed ergonomic recommendations were not consistently followed. Fourteen participants communicated regularly by telephone, eight only for moderate duration and ten using adapted telephone equipment. Half of the ROSA scores were high. CONCLUSIONS: Workers forced into telework during the pandemic experience positive and negative impacts. Postures vary more than in offices, potentially increasing health risk. Show more

Keywords: Telework, office ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, posture, change, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210726

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 299-308, 2022

Authors: MacLean, Kathleen F.E. | Neyedli, Heather F. | Dewis, Colleen | Frayne, Ryan J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The recent mandate for university faculty and staff to work-from-home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced employees to work with sub-optimal ergonomic workstations that may change their musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. As women report more work-related musculoskeletal discomfort (WMSD), this effect may be exacerbated in women. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe university employee at-home office workstations, and explore if at-home workstation design mediates the effect of gender on musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: University employees completed a survey that focused on the WFH environment, at home workstation design and …musculoskeletal pain. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze the responses. RESULTS: 61% of respondents reported an increase in musculoskeletal pain, with the neck, shoulders and lower back being reported most frequently. Women reported significantly greater musculoskeletal pain, but this relationship was significantly mediated by poor ergonomic design of the home workstation. Improper seat-height and monitor distance were statistically associated with total-body WMSD. CONCLUSIONS: WFH has worsened employee musculoskeletal health and the ergonomic gap between women and men in the workspace has persisted in the WFH environment, with seat height and monitor distance being identified as significant predictors of discomfort/pain. Show more

Keywords: Work from home, occupational musculoskeletal discomfort, computer work, anthropometric differences

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210692

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 309-318, 2022

Authors: Kotowski, Susan E. | Davis, Kermit G. | Gerding, Thomas

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Many individuals continued to work from home even after nearly 9 months since the COVID-19 pandemic started in spring of 2020. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a follow-up survey of the faculty and staff of a large Midwest university to determine whether there had been any changes to their home work environment and health outcomes since a prior survey conducted at the start of the pandemic in spring of 2020. METHODS: An electronic survey was sent out to all employees, staff, and administration (approximately 10,350 individuals) and was completed by 1,135 individuals. RESULTS: It was …found that not much had changed after nearly 9 months of working at home. Faculty and staff continued to primarily use laptops without an external keyboard, monitor or mouse. Few participants reported using chairs with adjustable armrests. These conditions continued to result in high levels of body discomfort (49% neck and head, 45% low back, and 62% upper back and shoulders having moderate to severe pain). CONCLUSION: If workers are going to continue to work from home, companies will need to accommodate them with more than a laptop, and should include an external keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Show more

Keywords: Telework, musculoskeletal disorders, keyboards, laptops, breaks human-computer interface

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211052

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 319-326, 2022

Authors: Swathi, P.S. | Saoji, Apar Avinash | Bhat, Raghavendra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The prolonged usage of digital displays leads to visual strain and, in turn, impairs psychological well-being. The practice of Yoga is said to enhance psychological functions and reduce visual strain. OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the effect of the trataka (Yogic visual concentration) practice on the visual strain, mind-wandering, and mindfulness. METHODS: One hundred six volunteers equally distributed in the experimental and control groups completed the study. Visual Fatigue Scale (VFS), visual symptoms checklist (VSC), mind-wandering questionnaire (MWQ), and State Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (SMAAS) were administered at baseline and at the end of two …weeks. RESULTS: All variables were similar at the baseline in both groups, and significant differences were noted at the end of two weeks between both groups. There was a significant reduction in VFS and VSC scores, MWQ, along with an increase in SMAAS scores in the experimental group. Although there were significant changes in VFS, MWQ, and SMAAS in the control group, the magnitude of change was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of trataka was found to reduce the visual strain, mind wandering while improving the state mindfulness. The practice can be implemented to mitigate visual strain and associated psychological implications due to prolonged exposure to digital displays, which has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Show more

Keywords: Mindfulness, mind-wandering, psychology, visual strain, yoga, yogic visual concentration

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210834

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 327-333, 2022

Authors: McKee, Cameron | Hedge, Alan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a large increase in the use of the home office environment. Compared to traditional commercial offices, home offices typically have more variable lighting conditions that can affect the worker’s performance and well-being. OBJECTIVE: To review and discuss various lighting sources and their ergonomic impacts on the population of office employees now working from home. Specifically addressing the impacts of electronic light from screens, daylight, and task lighting’s impact on health and well-being in the frame of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Over 75 ergonomic and lighting literature publications covering various …work environments were reviewed, with a focus on the health effects of screen light, daylight, and task light. RESULTS: Resulting from the literature review, design recommendations regarding the safety and health of home office lighting conditions are discussed. CONCLUSION: As COVID-19 continues to encourage remote working, individuals will be exposed to daylight and screen light in different ways compared to a traditional office environment. The impact of these different lighting conditions should be further studied to understand best design and well-being practices. Show more

Keywords: Screen light, daylight, task lighting, remote work, home work environment; COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210704

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 335-343, 2022

Authors: Pradoto, Herlam | Haryono, Siswoyo | Wahyuningsih, Sri Handari

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The spread of COVID-19 around the world has caused many undesirable effects on human health. The pandemic forced the employees to resort to Remote Work (RW)/Work from Home (WFH) according to the nature of the jobs. Consequently, organizations, business process and results are affected and organizational and commercial activities are significantly reduced. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of work stress and organizational climate on employee performance in the context of WFH in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). METHOD: This study used a purposive sampling strategy and …determined using the Slovin equation and equals 95 employees in marketing, business restructuring and finance. The Partial Least Square (PLS) approach and and the SmartPLS version 3.0 software for data analysis processing procedures for hypothesis testing were used. RESULTS: The results revealed that the organizational environment has a negative and significant effect on job stress. Furthermore, job stress had a negative impact on employee performance and the organizational climate had a favorable and considerable impact on employee performance. CONCLUSION: The lower the level of work stress, the higher the employee performance, and vice versa. Organizational climate has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, which means that the organization’s climate is conducive, so the employee performance will increase and vice versa. Show more

Keywords: Job satisfaction, job performance, job stress, workplace, WFH, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210678

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 345-355, 2022

Authors: Ahmadi, Fereshteh | Zandi, Saeid | Cetrez, Önver A. | Akhavan, Sharareh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the academic world in various ways, and most universities are still closed and continue operating via teleworking. OBJECTIVE: This study is intended to investigate how university faculty/staff and students in Sweden have coped with the lockdown and working/studying from home during the pandemic. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 277 women and men working and studying at different universities in Sweden. RESULTS: The results indicate that most (61%) respondents were very or somewhat satisfied with the current work-from-home arrangement. Additionally, they indicate that, overall, almost …30% were working more than usual due to the pandemic and teleworking. The coping methods having the highest impact on overall job satisfaction were: “thinking about what I can do rather than what I can’t do”; “being able to access medical resources and medical services if I need to seek help”; and “having trust in state or health authorities in my country.” CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that Sweden can serve as a good example of how university faculty/staff and students can address the occupational challenges caused by a health pandemic and possible subsequent quarantines. Show more

Keywords: Coping, coronavirus, pandemic, occupational health, telecommuting, teleworking

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210442

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 357-370, 2022

Authors: Zalat, Marwa | Bolbol, Sarah

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Teleworking became a necessary practice as an alternative to office work during the long COVID-19 era. OBJECTIVES: To recognize the telework associated benefits and health problems and to assess the relationship between some teleworkers’ characteristics, their health problems with job satisfaction and recuperation for promoting telework practices. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among employees working remotely in different work sectors using a questionnaire assessing job satisfaction and recuperation. RESULTS: Telework benefits included saving time and money (89.3%), minimizing the COVID-19 spread (86.9%), and balancing of work and …life (63.4%). Telework associated health problems included musculoskeletal (78.2%), work-related stress (65.9%), and visual problems (47%). Telework job satisfaction was significantly higher among married male workers, working less than 40hs/week, and with previous remote working experience before COVID-19. On the other hand, married female teleworkers working more than 40hs/week and without previous remote working experience before COVID-19 had significantly more perceived fatigue and less recuperation. All teleworkers with reported health problems showed significantly more perceived fatigue and less recuperation. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the participants recommended continuing teleworking post-COVID-19 due to its benefits on their working and social life. Telework would enables the employers to adapt and satisfy the teleworkers’ expectations to maintain their work and productivity. Show more

Keywords: Pandemic, Saudi Arabia, job satisfaction, recuperation, working from home, coronavirus

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210691

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 371-378, 2022