Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has drastically changed work styles and environments. Given the coexistence of work in the office and work from home (WFH) in the future, studies are needed to identify ways to increase productivity when working in both places. We conducted a questionnaire survey and environment measurements of 916 workers in 22 offices across 2 weeks in November–December 2020 in Japan. While average workdays at the offices decreased from 4.9 to 3.9 days/week, those at homes increased from 0.1 to 1.1 days/week due to COVID‐19, indicating an increase in the relative importance of WFH. Compared to the office, the satisfaction rate was lower for lighting, spatial, and information technology (IT) environments, but higher for thermal, air, and sound environments at home. Although it was easier to concentrate on work and to refresh at home, workers experienced challenges associated with business communication from home. Meanwhile, in the office, satisfaction with COVID‐19 countermeasures was significantly associated with work productivity. Furthermore, lower PM2.5 concentration was associated with greater satisfaction with COVID‐19 countermeasures, indicating that reducing PM2.5 may increase satisfaction with COVID‐19 countermeasures and work productivity. We expect these findings will help improve work productivity in the New Normal era.
Highlights
Workers showed greater satisfaction with the thermal environment at home because they were in direct control of the temperature
Satisfaction with the air and sound environments was higher at home
This study analyzed the association between productivity and work for this is that indoor air quality problems and noise from other workers demic
Summary
The funding organization had no role in deciding the study design and conducting the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation of the article; or the decision to submit the article for publication. We expect these findings will help improve work productivity in the New Normal era. Vironments, but higher for thermal, air, and sound environments at home. Challenges associated with business communication from home. 19 countermeasures was significantly associated with work productivity. COVID-19, PM2.5, productivity, work environment, work from home, work in the office
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