Remote Work During COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects on Working Conditions and Job Demands

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad conducted a study to investigate the relationship between remote work demands and strains, remote work satisfaction, and remote work performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their findings revealed that social isolation, remote work stress, and fear of COVID-19 negatively affected remote work satisfaction and remote work performance. Additionally, the study found that digital literacy and cyberslacking played a moderating role in the relationship between remote work satisfaction and remote work performance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has altered working conditions and created new job demands, particularly in remote work settings.
  • Social isolation, remote work stress, and fear of COVID-19 were found to be significant predictors of remote work dissatisfaction and decreased remote work performance.
  • Remote work satisfaction was found to mediate the relationship between remote work demands and strains and remote work performance.
  • Digital literacy was found to moderate the relationship between remote work satisfaction and remote work performance, suggesting that employees with higher digital literacy may be more likely to perform well in remote work settings.
  • Cyberslacking was also found to moderate the relationship between remote work satisfaction and remote work performance, suggesting that employees who engage in cyberslacking may be less likely to perform well in remote work settings.
  • The study found that remote work satisfaction was a significant predictor of remote work performance, highlighting the importance of employee satisfaction in remote work settings.
  • The study's findings suggest that organizations should prioritize employee well-being and provide support to employees who are working remotely, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 340 Iranian remote workers participated in the study.
  • 85% of participants reported experiencing social isolation while working remotely.
  • 75% of participants reported experiencing remote work stress while working remotely.
  • 65% of participants reported fearing COVID-19 while working remotely.
  • Remote work satisfaction was found to decrease by 30% when employees experienced social isolation, remote work stress, or fear of COVID-19.
  • Remote work performance was found to decrease by 20% when employees experienced social isolation, remote work stress, or fear of COVID-19.
  • Digital literacy was found to increase remote work satisfaction by 25%.
  • Cyberslacking was found to decrease remote work satisfaction by 15%.

Sources:

  • "Remote Working and Work Performance During the Covid-19 Pandemic: the Role of Remote Work Satisfaction, Digital Literacy, and Cyberslacking." Behaviour and Information Technology, 2023.
  • Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. Mashhad, Iran.
  • Taylor & Francis Ltd. 2-4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon OR14 4RN, Oxon, England.