Musculoskeletal pain among teleworkers: Frequency and associated factors

Teleworking, also known as remote working, has become the new norm for many workers since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Studies show that during this time, the incidence of musculoskeletal pain is increasing among these workers. Despite this, few studies have addressed the possible correlates of musculoskeletal pasin in teleworkers, with several potential predictors receiving little or no attention in published studies. With this in mind, an online survey was conducted among organizations in the IT and communications sectors in Malta. Information was collected from 459 teleworkers on the frequency of telework, frequency of work during nonworking hours, exercise frequency, burnout, and ergonomic arrangements. Demographic data were also collected. Results revealed that 55.8% reported one or more musculoskeletal pain. Back pain was the most common, followed by neck and shoulder pain. The presence of pain, the number of painful body areas, and the presence of back, neck, and shoulder pain were each individually associated with work during nonworking hours, lower levels of exercise, and higher levels of burnout. It is argued that musculoskeletal pain appears to be common among teleworkers and may negatively impact the quality of life and organizational performance. Companies and occupational health practitioners should strive to identify the prevalence of these problems among their teleworkers, develop appropriate preventive measures, and support workers to obtain multidisciplinary care when needed.

Remote workers’ perceived health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods study of influencing factors

Introduction: For many workers, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an unexpected overnight switch to remote working. Initial studies conducted during the pandemic indicated that remote workers had poorer health levels than those that remained within their workplaces. Few studies have explored the reasons for this. The current study aimed to determine if workers who had the facility to work remotely during the first year of the pandemic had experienced a change in their perceived health levels and their reasons for this. Material and Methods: An online questionnaire that included both open and closed-ended questions was distributed to the workers of 15 organisations within the IT and communications sector in Malta (N = 459). Qualitative data were analysed via Thematic Analysis. Results: 44% reported that their health had not changed during the first year of the pandemic when compared to the previous year, 33% felt their health had regressed, whilst 23% felt it had got better. In terms of those who reported a change, the reasons for this were linked to five themes: General determinants of health, such as physical activity and nutrition;the development of diseases and disorders, including common mental health disorders;work-related determinants of health, such as social contact and the working environment;pandemic-specific factors, including COVID-19 restrictions;and personal factors, such as caring for children. Conclusions: Remote workers’ health was influenced by a multitude of factors that included those related to work, health behaviours, the situation at home and the wider social environment.