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Self-control and performance while working from home

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  • Julia Baumann
  • Anastasia Danilov
  • Olga Stavrova

Abstract

This study explores the role of trait self-control in individuals’ changes in performance and well-being when working from home (WFH). In a three-wave longitudinal study with UK workers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find that low self-control workers experienced a significant positive adjustment to WFH over time: The number of reported work distractions decreased, and self-assessed performance increased over the period of four months. In contrast, high self-control individuals did not show a similar upward trajectory. Despite the positive adjustment of low self-control individuals over time, on average, self-control was still positively associated with performance and negatively associated with work distractions. However, trait self-control was not consistently associated with changes in well-being. These findings provide a more nuanced view on trait self-control, suggesting that low self-control individuals can improve initial performance over time when working from home.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Baumann & Anastasia Danilov & Olga Stavrova, 2023. "Self-control and performance while working from home," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0282862
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282862
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bates, Douglas & Mächler, Martin & Bolker, Ben & Walker, Steve, 2015. "Fitting Linear Mixed-Effects Models Using lme4," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 67(i01).
    2. Michael Gibbs & Friederike Mengel & Christoph Siemroth, 2023. "Work from Home and Productivity: Evidence from Personnel and Analytics Data on Information Technology Professionals," Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 7-41.
    3. Etheridge, Ben & Wang, Yikai & Tang, Li, 2020. "Worker productivity during lockdown and working from home: evidence from self-reports," ISER Working Paper Series 2020-12, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
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