PSYCHOSOCIAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF REMOTE AND STATIONARY EMPLOYEES: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the article is to compare people working remotely and people working at the employer’s premises in terms of psychosocial working conditions and mental well-being. Material and Methods: A longitudinal study conducted on a group of 494 people working remotely (N = 206) and those working stationary (N = 288) in 2021–2022 using the Copenhagen Working Conditions Questionnaire. Results: The results of analysis of variance in the mixed design showed that some psychosocial conditions of their work (e.g., emotional work demands, demands for hiding emotions, control at work, role conflict and trust in co-workers) were assessed better by remote workers than by people working stationary. Remote workers also had better mental well-being over time than those working at the employer’s premises, especially in relation to psychological strain, depression and burnout. Conclusions: The results of this study therefore suggest that remote work may be a desirable form of work from the point of view of improving psychosocial working conditions and the mental well-being of employees, and thus increase the quality of life of working people.