Virtual office intervention effectiveness: A systems approach

Area of Science:

• Organizational Psychology
• Human Resources Management
• Workplace Well-being Studies

Background:

• Virtual office work, or telework/remote work, has existed since the 1970s.
• Despite increased remote work, long-term effects on work environments and well-being are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine the effects of a Virtual Office (VO) program on psychosocial perceptions.
• Assess the impact of VO on mental and physical well-being, workplace satisfaction, and performance.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month prospective field intervention study with a systems approach.
• Included 137 VO employees (intervention) and 85 Conventional Office (CO) employees (control).
• Utilized employee surveys and focus group observations.

Main Results:

• VO participants reported higher job control, group interactions, and supervision quality.
• VO participants experienced fewer musculoskeletal symptoms and lower physical/mental stress.
• VO participants demonstrated higher performance, including customer satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Study findings support organizations implementing VO pilot programs.
• Effective VO programs require consideration of work system factors for employee well-being and performance.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the ongoing relevance and future of virtual office work.