Telework at times of a pandemic: The role of voluntariness in the perception of disadvantages of telework

Abstract

The implications of telework are discussed controversially and research on its positive and negative effects has produced contradictory results. We explore voluntariness of employee telework as a boundary condition which may underpin these contradictory findings. Under normal circumstances, individuals who do more telework should perceive fewer disadvantages. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, employees could no longer voluntarily choose to telecommute, as many organizations were forced to introduce telework by governmental regulations. In two studies, we examine whether the voluntary nature of telework moderates the association between the amount of telework and perceptions of disadvantage. In Study 1, we collected data before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 327). Results show that pre-pandemic participants (who were more likely to voluntarily choose this form of work) reported fewer disadvantages the more telework they did, but this was not the case for employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. To validate these findings, we measured employees’ voluntariness of telework in Study 2 (N = 220). Results support the importance of voluntariness: Individuals who experience a high degree of voluntariness in choosing telework perceive fewer disadvantages the more they telework. However, the amount of telework was not related to reduced perceptions of disadvantages for those who experienced low voluntariness regarding the telecommuting arrangement. Our findings help to understand when telework is related to the perception of disadvantages and they can provide organizations with starting points for practical interventions to reduce the negative effects of telework.

Aggressive measures, rising inequalities, and mass formation during the COVID-19 crisis: An overview and proposed way forward

“…Giving people a choice instead of forcing policies upon them, might increase intervention effectiveness. For instance, when people work from home voluntarily, they experience fewer adverse effects of teleworking [e.g., ( 393 )].…”

The Conditions of Successful Telework: Exploring the Role of Telepressure

“…The present study also measured whether telework was voluntary, as well as whether it occurred on a regular basis. In one previous study, examining whether telework was voluntary, an individual’s perception of voluntariness of telework was measured using a Likert-type response scale [ 38 ]. In the case of regularity of telework, this was measured by how frequently employees engaged in telework [ 30 ].…”

Aggressive Measures, Rising Inequalities and Mass Formation During the COVID-19 Crisis: An Overview and Proposed Way Forward

“…Giving people a choice instead of forcing policies upon them, might make for much more effective interventions. For instance when people work from home voluntarily, they experience fewer adverse effects of teleworking (e.g., Kaluza & van Dick, 2022).…”