European Journal of Environment and Public Health

European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 2021 - Volume 5 Issue 2, Article No: em0073
https://doi.org/10.21601/ejeph/9705

Published Online: 13 Feb 2021

Views: 746 | Downloads: 793

The COVID-19 pandemic represented a big challenge not only for the health systems but also for the working world that has been characterized by the spread of telework. The aim of this review is to resume the knowledge about the effects of telework on the health and safety of teleworkers, and to point out these implications in the light of the growing development and diffusion of it after COVID-19 pandemic. A literature research on the main scientific research engines (Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Review) has been performed. No restrictions were applied for language or publication type. All the articles not concerned with the health effects of telework have been excluded. That kind of work arrangement can take advantages to both employers and workers by improving productivity and work-life balance. However, it has some potential disadvantages, represented by the possible negative implications on worker’s health. The main hazards for the health of teleworkers are: the unavailability of ergonomic work equipment and a dedicated working area, the risk of overwork, and psychosocial implications of working from home. Performing telework can affect both physical and psychosocial health but some authors also described potential health benefits.

telework health telecommuting work-from-home remote work COVID-19 pandemic

• Aarås, A., Horgen, G. and Ro, O. (2000) Work With the Visual Display Unit: Health Consequences. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 12(1), 107-134. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327590IJHC1201_5
• Cahapay, M. B. (2020). Social Distancing Practices of Residents in a Philippine Region with Low Risk of COVID-19 Infection. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 4(2), em0057. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/8455
• Cohen, P. N. (2020). The COVID-19 Epidemic in Rural U.S. Counties. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 4(2), em0050. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/8331
• De Sio, S., Cedrone, F., Trovato Battagliola, E., Buomprisco, G., Perri, R. and Greco, E. (2018) The Perception of Psychosocial Risks and Work-Related Stress in Relation to Job Insecurity and Gender Differences: A Cross-Sectional Study. BioMed research international, 2018, 7649085. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7649085
• Eurofound (2020). Telework and ICT-based mobile work: Flexible working in the digital age, New forms of employment series. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
• Eurofound and the ILO. (2017). Working anytime, anywhere: The effects on the world of work. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, and the International Labour Office, Geneva.
• Gálvez, A., Martinez-Argüelles, M. and Pérez, C. (2011). Telework and Work-Life Balance: Some Dimensions for Organisational Change. Journal of Workplace Rights, 16(3-4), 273-297. https://doi.org/10.2190/WR.16.3-4.b
• González, K., Fuentes, J. and Márquez, J. L. (2017). Physical Inactivity, Sedentary Behavior and Chronic Diseases. Korean journal of family medicine, 38(3), 111-115. https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.3.111
• Hoe, V., Urquhart, D., Kelsall, H. and Sim, M. (2012). Ergonomic design and training for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb and neck in adults (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8, Article No: CD008570. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008570.pub2
• ILO. (2020). Practical Guide on Teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. A practical guide. Geneva: International Labour Office.
• Irwin, F. (2004). Gaining the air quality and climate benefit for telework. World Resources Institute. Available at: http://goo.gl/IvdkU
• Jensen, C., Finsen, L., Søgaard, K. and Christensen, H. (2002). Musculoskeletal symptoms and duration of computer and mouse use. International Journal Industrial Ergonomics, 30(4-5), 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(02)00130-0
• Ketola, R., Toivonen, R., Häkkänen, M., Luukkonen, R., Takala, E. P. and Viikari-Juntura, E. (2002). Effects of ergonomic intervention in work with video display units. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 28(1), 18-24. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.642
• Kurland, N. B. and Bailey, D. E. (1999). Telework the advantages and challenges of working here, there, anywhere and anytime. Organization Dynamics, 28(2), 53-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0090-2616(00)80016-9
• Lister, K. and Harnish, T. (2011). The state of telework in the U. S.: How individuals, business, and government benefit. San Diego, CA: Telework Research Network.
• Mann, S. and Holdsworth, L. (2003). The psychological impact of teleworking: stress, emotions and health. New Technology, Work and Employment, 18(3), 196-211. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-005X.00121
• Mann, S., Varey, R. and Button, W. (2000). An Exploration of the Emotional Impact of TeleWorking. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 15(7), 668-690. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940010378054
• Montreuil, S. and Lippel, K. (2003). Telework and Occupational Health: A Quebec Empirical Study and Regulatory Implications. Safety Science, 41(4), 339-358. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(02)00042-5
• Morahan-Martin, J. and Schumacher, P. (2003). Loneliness and social uses of the Internet. Computer Human Behavior, 19(6), 659-671. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(03)00040-2
• Nakazawa, T., Okubo, Y., Suwazono, Y., Kobayashi, E., Komine, S., Kato, N. and Nogawa, K. (2002). Association between duration of daily VDT use and subjective symptoms. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 42, 421-426. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.10133
• Riccò, M., Cattani, S., Gualerzi, G. and Signorelli, C. (2016). Use of Visual Display Units and work-related musculoskeletal complaints: a cross-sectional study. Medycyna pracy, 67(6), 707-719. https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.00471
• Runeson-Broberg, R. and Norbäck, D. (2013). Sick building syndrome (SBS) and sick house syndrome (SHS) in relation to psychosocial stress at work in the Swedish workforce. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 86(8), 915-922. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0827-8
• Schneiderman, N., Ironson, G. and Siegel, S. D. (2005). Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants. Annual review of clinical psychology, 1(1), 607-628. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144141
• Skov, T., Borg, V. and Orhede, E. (1996). Psychosocial and physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulders, and lower back in salespeople. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 53, 351-356. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.53.5.351
• Thomée, S., Eklöf, M., Gustafsson, E., Nilsson, R. and Hagberg, M. (2007). Prevalence of perceived stress, symptoms of depression and sleep disturbances in relation to information and communication technology (ICT) use among young adults. An explorative prospective study. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(3), 1300-1321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2004.12.007
• Wahlström, J. (2005). Ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders and computer work. Occupational Medicine, 55(3), 168-176. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqi083
• Welz, C. and Wolf, F. (2010). Telework in the European Union. Eurofund. Dublin Ireland. Available at: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/sites/default/files/ef_files/docs/eiro/tn0910050s/tn0910050s.pdf
• Wolkoff, P. (2018). Indoor air humidity, air quality, and health - An overview. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 221(3), 376-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.01.015

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.