Out of Sight, Out of Mind? A Longitudinal Investigation of Smart Working and Burnout in the Context of the Job Demands–Resources Model during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Alessandro De Carlo, Damiano Girardi, Laura Dal Corso, Elvira Arcucci and Alessandra Falco
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Alessandro De Carlo: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
Damiano Girardi: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Laura Dal Corso: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Elvira Arcucci: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Alessandra Falco: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: The academic interest in smart working, a form of flexible work characterized by the use of technology to conduct one’s work, has dramatically increased over recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on the job demands–resources (JD-R) model, in this study we investigate whether smart working affects the longitudinal association between perceived work characteristics, such as workload and social support (SS), and workers’ health and well-being, in terms of exhaustion. Overall, 185 workers completed a self-report questionnaire at two time points (four-month time-lag) during the COVID-19 outbreak. The results from moderated multiple regression analysis partially support our predictions. The longitudinal association between workload and exhaustion was positive—although marginally significant—for smart workers, but nonsignificant for in-person workers. Contrarily, the longitudinal association between SS and exhaustion was negative for in-person workers, but nonsignificant for smart workers. Overall, this study suggests that, to support employees’ health and productivity, work characteristics—both physical and psychosocial—should fit the new way of working as well as remote workers’ specific needs and expectations. Hence, to promote sustainable work, interventions should be aimed at helping smart workers to manage their workload effectively, as well as reducing professional and social isolation.

Keywords: smart working; exhaustion; workload; social support; COVID-19; job demands–resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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