A1 Journal article (refereed)
Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work : Employees’ Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021)

van Zoonen, W., Sivunen, A., Blomqvist, K., Olsson, T., Ropponen, A., Henttonen, K., & Vartiainen, M. (2021). Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work : Employees’ Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), Article 6966. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136966

JYU authors or editors

Sivunen, Anu

Publication details

All authors or editors: van Zoonen, Ward; Sivunen, Anu; Blomqvist, Kirsimarja; Olsson, Thomas; Ropponen, Annina; Henttonen, Kaisa; Vartiainen, Matti

Journal or series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

ISSN: 1661-7827

eISSN: 1660-4601

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 29/06/2021

Volume: 18

Issue number: 13

Article number: 6966

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136966

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77121

Abstract

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 structural factors (i.e., work independence and the clarity of job criteria), relational factors (i.e., interpersonal trust and social isolation), contextual factors of work (i.e., change in work location and perceived disruption), and communication 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.

Keywords: unusual conditions; pandemics; COVID-19; working life; remote work; employees; adaptation (change); internal communication; communications technology