Work time and well-being for workers at home: evidence from the American Time Use Survey

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the time-allocation decisions of individuals who work from home (i.e. teleworkers), and compare them with their commuter counterparts. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the American Time Use Survey for the years 2003–2015, the authors analyze the time spent working, and the timing of work, of both commuters and teleworkers. Findings Results show that teleworkers devote 40 percent less time to market work activities than do commuters, and less than 60 percent of teleworkers work at “regular hours,” vs around 80 percent of their commuter counterparts. Using information from the Well-being Module for the years 2012 and 2013, the authors find that male teleworkers experience lower levels of negative feelings while working than do commuters. Originality/value This paper addresses the timing of work of workers working from home; and the instant well-being experienced, exploiting information at diary level.

A rapid review of mental and physical health effects of working at home: how do we optimise health?

“…This effect is greater for men than women. Filardí et al (2020) [ 22 ] Brazil Cross sectional (quant) 98 teleworkers public administration (40 F) Questionnaire (1 item quality of life, 1 item safety) 95% participants reported improved quality of life, perceived increased safety when working from home and reduced stress associated with commuting Gimenez-Nadal et al (2020) [ 23 ] USA Cross sectional (quant) 2471 employees from various sectors. (1106 F) American Time Use Survey 2012–2013 (diaries and 5 item well-being questionnaire) Male teleworkers reported statistically significant lower levels of stress, pain & tiredness compared to commuters.…”

“… + N/A – N/A ? – – – Low Gimenez (2020) [ 23 ] – N/A – + N/A – N/A – – – + Low Golden (2012) [ 24 ] – N/A ? N/A N/A – N/A – – – – Low Kaduk (2019) [ 28 ] – N/A ?…”

“…Three studies explored the physical health impacts of WAH [ 22 , 23 , 32 ]; one of these will be discussed in the section on gender. Filardí [ 22 ] surveyed government employees who reported that ‘I feel safer working from home’, but the WAH arrangements were not clearly defined.…”

“…Relationships between WAH and the following mental health-related outcomes were examined: stress [ 8 , 19 , 21 – 23 , 26 , 28 – 31 , 34 , 37 , 38 ], quality of life [ 22 , 27 , 37 ], well-being [ 18 , 19 , 25 , 36 , 38 ], and depression [ 8 ]. Five studies [ 19 , 26 , 28 , 31 , 37 ], reported a decrease in stress levels of employees WAH on a part-time basis.…”

“…Seven studies examined outcomes by gender [ 21 , 23 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 34 , 39 ]. Three studies considered complex interactions when examining gender differences in the WAH and health related outcome relationship.…”