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Consequences of COVID-19 on Employees in Remote Working: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities An Evidence-Based Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Clara De Vincenzi

    (Department of Human Studies, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Martina Pansini

    (Department of Human Studies, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Bruna Ferrara

    (Department of Human Studies, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Ilaria Buonomo

    (Department of Human Studies, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Paula Benevene

    (Department of Human Studies, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta, 00193 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations across all sectors and sizes to undertake crucial changes in order to remain productive during the emergency. Among these, the shift towards remote working arrangements is still present in our workplaces, impacting employees’ well-being and productivity. This systematic review aims to describe the pandemic’s consequences on work organization by analyzing whether and how the shift towards remote or home-working impacted employees’ productivity, performance, and well-being. Furthermore, it describes the role of individual and organizational factors in determining employees’ adjustment to remote work. Sixty-seven peer-reviewed papers published from 2020 to 2022, written in English, were selected through the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Findings describe how remote working arrangements, the workplace and organizational factors, and the employees’ individual traits and skills impacted employees’ productivity and well-being. Furthermore, they provide a description of the organizational enforcement actions reported in the literature. Managerial and practical implications, such as enforcement actions, team management strategies, and initiatives to promote employees’ physical and mental health, will be discussed in the paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Clara De Vincenzi & Martina Pansini & Bruna Ferrara & Ilaria Buonomo & Paula Benevene, 2022. "Consequences of COVID-19 on Employees in Remote Working: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities An Evidence-Based Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11672-:d:916632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Weisbrod, Glen & Hensher, David A., 2023. "Improving transportation project evaluation by recognizing the role of spatial scale and context in measuring non-user economic benefits," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 80-89.
    3. Barbara Barbieri & Marina Mondo & Silvia De Simone & Roberta Pinna & Maura Galletta & Jessica Pileri & Diego Bellini, 2024. "Enhancing Productivity at Home: The Role of Smart Work and Organizational Support in the Public Sector," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Teresa Galanti & Bruna Ferrara & Paula Benevene & Ilaria Buonomo, 2023. "Rethinking the Unthinkable: A Delphi Study on Remote Work during COVID-19 Pandemic," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Ilaria Buonomo & Bruna Ferrara & Martina Pansini & Paula Benevene, 2023. "Job Satisfaction and Perceived Structural Support in Remote Working Conditions—The Role of a Sense of Community at Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-11, June.

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