Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work: Employees’ Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Main Authors: Ward van Zoonen, Anu Sivunen, Kirsimarja Blomqvist, Thomas Olsson, Annina Ropponen, Kaisa Henttonen, Matti Vartiainen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: work adjustment; remote work; structural factors; relational factors; contextual factors; COVID-19 pandemic
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/6966
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted when, where, and how employees work. Drawing on a sample of 5452 Finnish employees, this study explores the factors associated with employees’ abrupt adjustment to remote work. Specifically, this study examines <i>structural</i> factors (i.e., work independence and the clarity of job criteria), <i>relational</i> factors (i.e., interpersonal trust and social isolation), <i>contextual</i> factors of work (i.e., change in work location and perceived disruption), and <i>communication</i> dynamics (i.e., organizational communication quality and communication technology use (CTU)) as mechanisms underlying adjustment to remote work. The findings demonstrate that structural and contextual factors are important predictors of adjustment and that these relationships are moderated by communication quality and CTU. Contrary to previous research, trust in peers and supervisors does not support adjustment to remote work. We discuss the implications of these findings for practice during and beyond times of crisis.