Working from home during COVID-19: A study of the interruption landscape.

Abstract

We examine how the shift toward intensive work-from-home during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the experience of interruptions during work time. We conducted a two-wave survey of 249 employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on a conceptual framework and typology (Leroy et al., 2020), we examine changes in the prevalence of interruptions since-COVID-19 as a function of interruption type (intrusions, distractions, breaks, multitasking, and surprises), source (work-based vs. nonwork), and timing (pre- vs. since-COVID-19). We find a large increase in interruptions since-COVID, with the largest increases observed for nonwork intrusions, distractions, and multitasking. Women reported a greater increase in interruptions, particularly with regard to nonwork interruptions of all types, in addition to work-based intrusions, multitasking, and surprises, uncovering an important source of gender inequity. A dedicated unshared workspace at home was associated with fewer nonwork interruptions, while more nonwork responsibilities predicted more nonwork interruptions. Further differentiation of interruption types and sources was observed with regard to outcomes of interruptions. Nonwork interruptions predicted higher family-to-work interference, emotional exhaustion, and lower performance. Notably, these relationships varied meaningfully across specific interruption-type/outcome combinations, highlighting the value of differentiating interruptions by type. Work-based interruptions—especially intrusions and multitasking—were associated with higher work–family interference and emotional exhaustion, as well as lower performance. The results of this study provide valuable insights to help understand and, ultimately, improve work experiences in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic while also contributing to the broader literatures on interruptions and remote work.

The work-family interface and the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

“…Moreover, employees had to adapt to enforce remote work at a fast pace ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Barriga Medina et al, 2021 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ; Stefanova et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ). Additionally, unpaid workload also increased ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ; Stefanova et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Regarding the case of dual-earners, women also reported increased difficulties in segmenting work and family ( Çoban, 2021 ; Otonkorpi-Lehtoranta et al, 2021 ; Waismel-Manor et al, 2021 ). It looks like gender traditional roles pushed women to be the “nomad” and men to have a designated room to work from home ( Çoban, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Otonkorpi-Lehtoranta et al, 2021 ; Waismel-Manor et al, 2021 ). Indeed, couples stated that one of the significant lockdown challenges was lacking a proper workplace room at home ( Kolo et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Boundary management was linked to work-family conflict ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ; Adisa et al, 2021 ; Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Kashive et al, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Otonkorpi-Lehtoranta et al, 2021 ; Sedaroglu, 2021 ), work-family enrichment ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ), family-to-work enrichment ( Kashive et al, 2021 ), work-family balance ( Carvalho et al, 2021 ), work-home balance ( Wang et al, 2020 ), and work-non-work balance ( Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004 ). Since the variables which do not include the family system are beyond the scope of the present systematic review, this subsection will only address work-family variables.…”

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Adolescents’ Use of Technologies, Sense of Community, and Loneliness: A Retrospective Perception Analysis

“…It has been more than 1 year since 11 March 2020 when the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic. During this period, people have experienced unprecedented interruptions to their daily lives, including, in most cases, their work [ 1 ]. Children and adolescents experienced some critical moments too: in addition to the global fear felt for this new disease, they found themselves no longer having sociality, sports, and hobbies [ 2 ].…”

The Depleting and Buffering Effects of Telecommuting on Wellbeing: Evidence From China During COVID-19

“…The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has remarkably increased remote work, whose implications for employees and organizations thus require thorough understanding ( Malankowski and Wrycza, 2020 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Shockley et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ). In China, over 300 million workers relatively experienced telecommuting in March 2020.…”