Tell Me Where and When You Work, and I'll Tell You How You Recover: A Systematic Review of Telework and NonStandard Working Schedules as Predictors of Employee Recovery

Abstract

Recovery from work stress has been the subject of increasing research in recent years, as it is fundamental to well-being and health. However, research into recovery in the context of regular work has been the primary focus (Sonnentag et al. 2017). Based on Conservation of Resources Theory (Hobfoll 2002), the aim of this systematic review is to analyse the effects of unconventional work situations, namely telework and non-standard working schedules, on recovery. The search was conducted in the digital databases Scopus and Web of Science using various combinations of search terms to select any published article that included the variables of recovery, non-standard working schedules and teleworking, resulting in a total of 25 studies included in the present study. Findings suggest that neither telework nor non-standard working schedules inherently impair recovery. Rather, recovery disruptions appear to stem from the heightened job characteristics of these work arrangements, such as unpredictability, extended availability, and excessive job demands. These factors threaten resources, contribute to their depletion, and hinder replenishment, aligning with the core principles of COR theory. Notably, one exception is midweek breaks, which may facilitate recovery. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how specific work-related stressors, rather than work arrangements per se, influence employees’ ability to recover effectively.