The COVID-19 Crisis and Telework: A Research Survey on Experiences, Expectations and Hopes

Stijn Baert, Louis Lippens, Eline Moens, Johannes Weytjens and Philippe Sterkens ()
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Johannes Weytjens: Ghent University

No 13229, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: While a considerable number of employees across the globe are being forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 crisis, it is a guessing game as to how they are experiencing this current surge in telework. Therefore, we examined employee perceptions of telework on various life and career aspects, distinguishing between typical and extended telework during the COVID-19 crisis. To this end, we conducted a state-of-the-art web survey among Flemish employees. Notwithstanding this exceptional time of sudden, obligatory and high-intensity telework, our respondents mainly attribute positive characteristics to teleworking, such as increased efficiency and a lower risk of burnout. The results also suggest that the overwhelming majority of the surveyed employees believe that teleworking (85%) and digital conferencing (81%) are here to stay. In contrast, some fear that telework diminishes their promotion opportunities and weakens ties with their colleagues and employer.

Keywords: career; telework; videoconferencing; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D24 I10 J15 J22 J24 J28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 39 pages
Date: 2020-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lma
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (48)

Published - revised version published in: European Journal of Health Economics , 2022, 23, 729 - 753

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Related works:
Journal Article: The COVID-19 crisis and telework: a research survey on experiences, expectations and hopes (2022)
Working Paper: The COVID-19 crisis and telework: A research survey on experiences, expectations and hopes (2020)
Working Paper: The COVID-19 crisis and telework: A research survey on experiences, expectations and hopes (2020)
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