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The Psychological Impact of Telework on European Workers
In 2021, it is estimated that 41.7 million employees teleworked across the EU, a number that has double since 2019. While there was a small decline in 2022, the trend of teleworking is set to continue as we observe an increasing number of teleworkable jobs, and employees’ and employers’ preferences are gradually leaning more towards remote working.
Now that we have a bit of a perspective on this way of working, as it has been widespread since the pandemic, we can see the effects of remote work on European workers. Thus, we can now state that, while telework offers various benefits, it also has psychological implications for workers.
Telework offers various benefits for workers
The positive psychological impacts on workers are varied and can benefit both the employees and the companies. Here are some key aspects to consider:
Positive Impact on Work-Life Balance: Telework offers greater flexibility in managing work and personal life, allowing employees to save commuting time and have more control over their work schedules. A better work-life balance can reduce stress associated with commutes, and enable people to spend more time with their family or pursue personal interests. This flexibility can lead to improved well-being and increased job satisfaction among European workers.
Increased Autonomy and Productivity: While working remotely, workers can have a greater sense of autonomy and control over work as they have more freedom to structure and organize their tasks, their schedules and their work environment. This can positively impact motivation and productivity, as well as improve focus and efficiency.
Reduced Work-Related Stress: Employees working remotely can potentially feel less stress thanks to the reduction of work-related stressors, such as commuting, office distractions, or interpersonal conflicts.
Enhanced Job Satisfaction: Overall, the increased autonomy, flexibility and control over one’s schedule and work environment contribute to higher job satisfaction. Telework allows workers to align their work with their personal needs and preferences, which leads to a sense of fulfilment and contentment in their job.
The psychological challenges that come with telework
Despite these important benefits offered by remote work, European employees can also face psychological challenges. Here are some of the main challenges that come with telework:
Blurred Boundaries Between Work and Personal Life: Telework can easily blur boundaries between work and personal life. While working from home, individuals can struggle to establish a clear separation between the two. This can lead to work-related stress spilling over into personal life, and difficulties in disconnecting from work and in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Social Isolation and Reduced Team Cohesion: Another main challenge associated with telework is the potential for social isolation. While remote work offers autonomy and control, it can also result in feelings of loneliness and reduced support from colleagues and supervisors due to limited face-to-face contact with other employees. Physical distance between team members can also lead to collaboration challenges. This can have a negative impact on workers’ well-being, especially for the ones who feel more comfortable in social work environment.
Role Ambiguity and Overwork: The lack of clear boundaries and expectations that often comes with teleworking can result in increased job demands and expectations, and difficulty in disconnecting from work. Employees may feel like they have to always be available and they can end up working more than in a physical office. Thus, employees may experience stress and burnout due to this lack of boundaries.
Technostress: People can experience technostress when they can’t adapt or cope with technology in a healthy manner. The reliance on technology for telework can lead to technostress and have a negative psychological impact due to the use of technology. Technological issues, increased screen time and constant connectivity can be stressors and can result in feelings of stress, anxiety and overwhelm.
The influence of employers in the psychological impact of telework on European workers
It is important to note that other benefits and challenges exist within the world of remote working, and the psychological impact of telework varies among individuals, depending on personal characteristics, job roles or work environment. But employers play a crucial role in supporting remote workers and ensuring their well-being by offering efficient digital communication methods and channels, promoting social connection and collaboration between colleagues, establishing work-life boundaries, offering resources for mental well-being, or even by offering technical support to employees who are not used to telework. After all, it’s also in their interest to have fulfilled and happy employees, as the state of mind of workers has a major influence on the company’s productivity and success.
Grant Agreement: 2021-1-FR01-KA220-VET-000025901
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