Abstract
ObjectivesTo explore changes in quality of life and perceived productivity, focusing on the effects of working from home during the first COVID-19 50-day mitigation period in Austria.MethodsWe conducted an Austrian-representative online survey (N = 1010) of self-reported life- and work-related changes during the first COVID-19 50-day mitigation period (March 16 through May 1 2020) compared to the situation before. We used multinominal logistic regression models to identify correlates of improved/decreased quality of life in the entire sample, and of improved/decreased productivity in a subsample of the working population (N = 686). We also calculated age- and multivariable-adjusted ORs and 95% CIs of an improved/decreased quality of life and an improved/decreased productivity by work from home status.ResultsDuring the COVID-19 mitigation period, quality of life improved in 17.5%, but decreased in 20.7% of the general Austrian population; perceived productivity at work increased in 12.7%, but decreased in 30.2% of the working population. Working from home during the mitigation period was associated with an increased quality of life (vs. none, partially: OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.09–3.91; all the time: 3.69, 1.86–7.29). In contrast, perceived productivity seemed to decrease when people worked from home (vs. none, partially: 1.42, 0.86–2.35; all the time: 1.48, 0.85–2.58). Working from home and related benefits were not equally distributed among gender, age, and educational attainment.ConclusionsA transition to more flexibility of workplace and working hours for employees could have important positive consequences for family and professional life, for stakeholders, for public health, and ultimately for the environment.
Highlights
Across the globe, confinement measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 contributed to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (Ammar et al 2020a, b; Deschasaux-Tanguy et al 2020; Reyes-Olavarría et al 2020) and negative health outcomes, including important increases in the prevalence of psychosocial and emotional disorders (Ammar.et al 2020b)
Those working from home were more frequently men (75.1% vs. 72.9% working from home), younger (< 30 years, 82.6% working from home; 30–49 years, 78.1%; ≥ 50 years, 61.1%), and participants who had received higher education
Quality of life and perceived productivity improved in a sizeable segment of the Austrian population sample during the COVID-19 mitigation period
Summary
Confinement measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 contributed to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (Ammar et al 2020a, b; Deschasaux-Tanguy et al 2020; Reyes-Olavarría et al 2020) and negative health outcomes, including important increases in the prevalence of psychosocial and emotional disorders (Ammar.et al 2020b). The overall implications of COVID-19 mitigation measures for public and environmental health remain uncertain. The policy included a ban on entering public places with only five exceptions: errands to cover necessary basic needs, professional activity (i.e., by essential workers such as health care workers), care and assistance for those in need of support, exercise outdoors alone or with people living in the same household, and averting danger to life, limb or property (Republik Österreich 2020a). Schools and kindergardens were closed (Kurier 2020), and day care was provided only for essential workers, e.g., health care workers, who could not allocate other resources for childcare
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
