Complications associated with remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid review

Abstract

This review identifies and describes the main outcomes and complications associated with remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review of the literature was carried out. This included observational studies whose population or partly carried out remote work, published between March 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020. The descriptors were adapted to MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, Scopus and PsycINFO databases. We found 139 studies; 15 articles were included in this synthesis. A total of 18,818 remote workers were reported, of which women represented between 18.2%-100%. The findings describe the increased use of electronic devices, sedentary lifestyle, anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness, sleep disorders and the presence of musculoskeletal pain in remote workers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide assistance and education to the remote worker in order to improve their conditions, reduce the associated complications and positively impact their lifestyle.

Home-Office Managers Should Get Ready for the “New Normal”

“…Benefits of home office work include heightened flexibility in embracing innovation, self-determined time management, an enhanced work-life equilibrium, reductions in commute times, and cost savings spanning travel expenses, clothing, and attire (Raghavan et al 2021). Research on the negatives of home office work has highlighted several key issues-employees suffering from increased work-to-life and life-to-work conflicts, a potential risk of social isolation, poorer occupational health and safety outcomes for home-based workers, and the need for assistance and education to improve conditions and reduce complications (Palumbo 2020;Quinlan and Bohle 2008;Stürmer and Fincato 2021;Cruz-Ausejo and Rimache 2022). Furthermore, the absence of adequate legislation to regulate home office implementation poses another significant complication.…”