Regular and occasional teleworking opportunities can provide some advantages — scheduling flexibility, reduced commuting time that results in higher productivity; however, working remotely can also present potential problems, according to a new report.
Remote workers often log in longer hours, for example, which can lead to higher stress levels. In addition, mobile workers who aren’t permanently based in one place are more at risk of negative health and well-being outcomes, compared to employees who work from home.
To address the issues, the report authors recommend promoting formal part-time teleworking opportunities to help employees maintain ties with their colleagues and restricting assignments that would require long hours from mobile workers and home-based remote workers.
Find out more about teleworking’s effect on work-life balance from the International Labour Organization and Eurofound report, based on research involving 15 countries, including ten EU member states, Argentina, Brazil, India, Japan and the United States.