Impact of Work from Home on Health and Productivity level of Women Employees Working in IT Sector

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the impact of WFH (occupational and home office environment) on the mental & physical health and productivity level of women employees working in IT sector, Pune. Methods: A questionnaire was deployed to women employees working in the IT sector, Pune from September 2021-March 2022 and 159 valid responses were obtained. ANOVA tests were used to understand the impact of the WFH (occupational and home office environment) on the mental and physical health and productivity level. Results: There is a significant impact of WFH (occupational and home office environment) on the mental & physical health and productivity level of women employees. Respondents who received adequate support from co-workers/supervisors, effective cooperation from supervisors and co-workers, clarity in job, flexible working hours, workspace privacy at home, assistance from organisation for home office set up,proper collaboration with the team had better health and increase in productivity level. Decreased health and productivity level was associated with, lack of clarity in job, less support from co-workers and managers, inadequate cooperation from co-workers and managers, strict working hours, poor home office set up, and collaboration with the team. Conclusion: This study highlights occupational and home office environment factors and its impact on women employees' physical & mental health and productivity level of respondents. This study illuminates that importance of home office set ,lack of support, cooperation, collaboration, clarity in job and poor internet set up are the most important factors that need to be considered by the employers, HR personnel while developing WFH strategies for promoting a better working environment in near future. Novelty: This study focuses on the problems faced by the women employees while working home and its effect on health and productivity level. This will help government and employers to devise supportive Work from Home policies considering Hybrid model as the option of future work.