Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Health and Well-Being of Project-Based Construction Workers

Abstract

In the ongoing attempt to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and flatten the curve, governments and employers have encouraged (and in some cases required) workers to work at home. This sudden widespread shift to home-based teleworking was not anticipated. Consequently, the ability to make provisions to ensure the health and safety of workers was limited. Further, in many cases, the shift to working at home has been involuntary and likely to continue for an extended period. The study presented in this paper aimed to examine the health and well-being experiences in a sample of professional/managerial workers who were engaged in teleworking as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation developed. Data were collected from workers in the Australian construction industry who were required to work from home on alternate weeks to reduce the number of people in project offices. A multiwave survey was conducted at three construction projects. Longitudinal analysis of the data indicated a consistent gradual decline in the mental well-being of participants. The analysis identified a positive and significant relationship between work-life satisfaction and mental well-being and indicated that the effects of work hours, work pressure, work engagement, and work-life interference on mental well-being were mediated by the extent to which participants were satisfied with their work-life balance. Combining these results with qualitative comments made by participants helped to understand their varying experiences during the pandemic and the impact on their mental well-being. The results highlight the importance of considering work-life satisfaction and creating opportunities for improved work-family balance when designing teleworking arrangements. The paper contributes to knowledge and practice by providing the evidence that helps organizations to maximize the health benefits and reduce the risks associated with home-based working during (and potentially beyond) the pandemic.

Lessons learned from the impact of COVID-19 on the global construction industry

“…These scholars discovered that there is a positive relationship between mental well-being and quality of sleep (Pirzadeh and Lingard, 2021). The study conducted by Pirzadeh and Lingard (2021) further discovered that construction workers preferred to work from home. Generally, these findings were supported across the range of participants in the survey.…”

“…Interviewee CSE4 from Nigeria stated that "there have been improved Arup (2020) have previously identified remote working as a key benefit that may facilitate the reduction of overhead costs in the construction industry. Pirzadeh and Lingard (2021) studied the impact of remote working on the mental health of construction workers. These scholars discovered that there is a positive relationship between mental well-being and quality of sleep (Pirzadeh and Lingard, 2021).…”

“…Pirzadeh and Lingard (2021) studied the impact of remote working on the mental health of construction workers. These scholars discovered that there is a positive relationship between mental well-being and quality of sleep (Pirzadeh and Lingard, 2021). The study conducted by Pirzadeh and Lingard (2021) further discovered that construction workers preferred to work from home.…”

“…Improved productivity may also result from flexibility in the workplace as noted by African and Australian respondents who were able to return to work at their convenience when the epidemic situation was better. Improved productivity was identified by Pirzadeh and Lingard (2021) as a key benefit of working flexibly in-office setting or at home. This key feature can be linked with sustainable practices in the construction industry.…”

Working and Learning during the COVID-19 Confinement: An Exploratory Analysis with a Small Sample from Portugal

“…A study of workers who suffered from body aches in the four weeks prior to the study showed 15% of participants reported that the pain worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and 47% reported decreased physical activity and increased psychological stress [27]. A study that included workers in the Australian construction industry indicated a consistent gradual decline in participants' mental well-being as well as a positive and significant relationship between work life satisfaction and mental well-being [28]. A study that investigated the impact of mandatory work on the personal and professional lives of people with different demographics (gender, healthy lifestyle, family bond, and physical stress, among others) positively associated the impact on emotional well-being with gender, groups, industry, and family size [29].…”