Influence of Working From Home During the COVID-19 Crisis and HR Practitioner Response

Associations of Working From Home Frequency With Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Japanese White-Collar Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Meiji Yasuda LifeStyle Study

BACKGROUND

The association of working from home (WFH) with physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) has been explored; however, this association during periods without stringent measures to combat coronavirus disease 2019 is undercharacterized. Particularly, few studies have evaluated the potential effect modification on its associations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the associations of WFH frequency with accelerometer-measured PA and SB, along with its effect modifiers, among Japanese white-collar workers during the later pandemic period.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving 1133 white-collar workers residing in the Tokyo metropolitan area was conducted between April 2022 and March 2023. WFH frequency was evaluated through a self-report questionnaire, while SB and PA during weekdays were measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders were used to examine the association of WFH frequency with PA and SB.

RESULTS

Regardless of activity intensity, individuals who worked at home, even for 1 to 2 days per week, demonstrated lower levels of PA and higher levels of SB as compared with those who did not (P < .05). For example, difference between never and ≥5 days per week WFH was approximately 70 minutes/day for total PA and about 4000 steps/day for step counts. Associations between WFH and decreased PA were more pronounced in workers who were older, female, less educated, in sales and service work, nonregular staff, and precontemplating changes in exercise and eating habits.

CONCLUSIONS

We report that WFH was associated with decreased PA and increased SB in Japanese white-collar workers with pronounced associated in several subgroups.

Ergonomic risks affecting the performance of work-from-home employees in IT industry: a comprehensive analysis

Purpose

This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the ergonomic risks faced by employees in the IT industry who work from home (WFH). With the increasing prevalence of remote work, understanding and addressing ergonomic challenges are crucial to ensure the well-being, productivity and long-term health of IT professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are gathered through a survey questionnaire which includes demographic factors, job-related factors, quick video display terminal (VDT) workspace evaluation factors, quick chair design usability evaluation factors and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) in order to measure the ergonomic risks among them. The risk factors associated with each body part are determined using ordinal logistic regression.

Findings

Highest occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders was observed in the neck, hip and lower back among WFH employees. By identifying and prioritizing these risks, organizations and individuals can implement effective strategies to promote a healthy and ergonomic work environment for remote IT employees.

Originality/value

This research contributes new insights that will be helpful for researchers and practitioners working in the areas of ergonomic risks, improving performance of work from home employees and provides suggestions for future research to explore and enrich the existing knowledge base.

The influence of spousal support on the outcomes and willingness of work from home for female knowledge workers

This study identified the key factors of spousal support that influence the outcomes and willingness of female knowledge workers to work from home (WFH). A questionnaire of 59 items was developed, covering basic personal information, spousal support, work perception, work-life balance, and willingness to WFH: 139 valid responses from female participants were collected and analysed. Exploratory factor analysis revealed six distinct factors of spousal support. Regression analysis found that personal-related emotional support, personal-related instrumental support, work-related emotional support, and work-related instrumental support demonstrated positive correlations with work perception and work-life balance, while family-related instrumental support positively correlated with work-life balance. Personal-related emotional support and personal-related instrumental support positively correlated with the willingness to WFH. Notably, personal-related emotional support exhibited the strongest correlation coefficients for willingness and outcomes. The findings could provide information on how a husband could improve his wife's well-being when WFH.Practitioner summary: A survey was conducted among female knowledge workers to examine the influence of different factors of spousal support on the outcomes and willingness of WFH. The results shed light on how husbands can improve their wives' well-being during WFH, offering practical guidance for supporting spouses in this context.

Evolutionary game analysis of online game studios and online game companies participating in the virtual economy of online games

In the context of the new economic development in the post-pandemic era, "play" labor as an important component of digital work has become an inexhaustible driving force for the growth of the digital economy. Previous research has shown that "play" labor, as an emerging business model, can effectively promote the growth of the digital economy. However, there is a relative lack of research on the dynamic evolutionary game between "play" labor suppliers represented by game studios and online gaming companies. In this study, we applied the theoretical approach of dynamic evolutionary game theory to establish a game model depicting the evolution of both parties involved in the virtual economy of online gaming. The aim was to investigate the strategic selection mechanisms and influencing factors for game studios and online gaming companies participating in the virtual economy of online gaming. By analyzing the evolutionary game path, equilibrium points, and factors influencing the evolutionary game outcome, as well as conducting numerical simulation analysis using Matlab software, we found that the incremental gains and costs resulting from the strategic choices of online gaming companies and game studios in engaging in the virtual economy of online gaming affect the evolutionary outcomes. In addition, for the probability ratio of online game studios and online game companies choosing to participate in the virtual economy of online games, whether it is online game studios or online game companies, the larger the initialization ratio, the more likely the evolution result is to develop in a mutually beneficial direction. After an in-depth analysis and discussion of the evolutionary game results, relevant policy recommendations were proposed. We hope to provide a reference for promoting online game companies to strengthen the adequate supervision of online game studios' participation in the virtual economy of online games and optimize and improve the virtual economic environment.

A bibliometric analysis of telework research based on Web of Science via VOSviewer

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked increased interest in telework as a means of reducing the spread of the virus and maintaining social distance.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to generate a bibliometric analysis of research progress and trends in telework over the past 20 years.

METHOD

A search of key terms was conducted in the Social Science Citation Index, Science Citation Index Expanded, and Arts and Humanities Citation Index categories for documents published on telework from 2000-2023. A total of 3,446 studies were analyzed using VOSviewer for co-citation, co-word, and cluster analysis.

RESULTS

Bibliometric analysis revealed that telework research has experienced a significant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of publications in 2022 being more than 15 times higher than that in 2019. The analysis revealed that the most commonly researched areas related to telework were applied psychology, management and business. The knowledge base focuses on the antecedents, moderators, mediators, and consequences of telework, and the research primarily centers around seven directions of well-being, mental health, and work-family conflict. A conceptual framework for telework research and suggestions for future investigation are proposed based on the results of the bibliometric analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an overview of telework research over the past two decades, highlighting the current status and hot topics in the field. It calls for wider and more active participation of researchers globally to advance the understanding of telework.

Assessment of Psychometric Properties of the Malay Version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS-M) among Non-Academic Staff Working from Home during COVID-19 in Malaysia

This study aims to validate the Malay version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS-M) in order for the scale to be available among the Malay-speaking population. Two hundred and ninety-eight non-academic staff completed the Malay version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS-M), Malay Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI-M), and Malay Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (M-DASS-21). To explore the factor structure of BRS-M, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with the first group of 149 participants was conducted using FACTOR (v.11) software. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted from the data of the second group of 149 participants using SEM_PLS software. The EFA revealed a two-factor model; Factor 1 ="Resilience" and Factor 2 = "Succumbing". The CFA indicated a sufficient internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.806 and McDonald's omega, ω = 0.812) and a good fit with SRMR = 0.031. BRS-M, CBI-M, and M-DASS-21 displayed a satisfactory concurrent validity result. Household income and marital status had significant association with resilience level, with low household income (B40 group) being a predictor of lower resilience. The BRS-M demonstrated favourable psychometric properties in terms of reliability and validity to assess the level of resilience among non-academic staff in Malaysia.

Family boundary permeability, difficulties detaching from work, and work-home conflict: what comes first during the lockdown?

The challenges posed by the urgent demand of the lockdown to start working from home and successfully manage work-family interface have also triggered the increased boundary permeability, difficulties detaching from work and work-home conflict. However, little is known about the temporal dynamics between these challenges, therefore more research-based data could facilitate not only a better understanding of the risks for employee well-being but also finding the best practices to counteract work-home conflict when working from home. Our study aimed to examine the direction of cross-lagged effects among family boundary permeability, psychological detachment, and work-home conflict in the context of the pandemic. In all, 375 employees participated in a two-wave study. We used structural equation modelling to test and compare several models that were deployed for describing the hypothesised temporal relationships. The results of our study revealed that psychological detachment predicted boundary permeability and work-family conflict four months later, but not vice versa. Thus, the ability to detach from work should not be considered a consequence of low family boundary permeability. Instead, it seems to serve as a strategy to keep work and non-work spheres separate, eventually, to avoid work-family conflict. As a result, practical efforts should focus on helping remote workers to detach from work when they are not working rather than on the prevention of boundary-blurring. Finally, the discussion of the results of the impact of both, the context of the pandemic and the nature of the mandatory transition to working from home is presented and practical guidelines on how organisations may help employees better manage the work and home interface in telework settings are offered.