Advantage of remote workstation and job performance: the impact of worktime autonomy and remote work intensity

Ergonomics. 2024 Dec 17:1-15. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2024.2439914. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Grounded on the Affective Event Theory and the Quality of Telework Model, this cross-sectional study examined the impact of perceived advantage of remote workstation on remote work performance and if this relationship is mediated through remote work intensity and moderated by worktime autonomy. The perceived advantage of remote workstation was operationalised as the arithmetical difference between perceived home office and in-site office workstation quality. A sample of 349 Italian researchers involved in hybrid work arrangements completed an online questionnaire. Results show that employees who preferred their home office than in-office workplace tended to perform better remotely; the mediating effect of remote work intensity was not observed; finally, worktime autonomy positively moderated the relationship between perceived advantage of remote workstation and remote work intensity. This study offers theoretical and practical insights for designing effective hybrid workplaces, emphasising the importance of workstation quality and worktime autonomy in determining remote work performance.

Keywords: Hybrid working; advantage of remote workstation; remote work intensity; remote work performance; worktime autonomy.

Plain language summary

This cross-sectional study shows that the ergonomic Advantage of Remote Workstation, over office workstation, is positively, and directly related to Remote Work Performance. This relationship is not mediated by Remote Work Intensity but employees that perceive higher Worktime Autonomy tend to work remotely more frequently. Hybrid work requires considering the interplay between workstation characteristics, intensity of remote work, and worktime autonomy provided to employees.