Making work-from-home work for you: optimizing work-from-home environments for improved overall health and well-being
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The sudden increase in work-from-home (WFH) arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus previously overlooked challenges inherent in WFH environments, revealing their profound impact on the overall health and well-being of employees. This doctoral project, Making Work-From-Home Work for You: Optimizing Work-From-Home Environments for Improved Overall Health and Well-Being, addresses the imperative need to enhance the WFH experience for optimal health and well-being. Guided by the person-environment-occupation-performance model, the program seeks to optimize the interaction between the individual, their work environment, and occupational demands. The overarching objective is to develop and implement a comprehensive program consisting of five modules that assess and address critical factors: ergonomics, aesthetics, work–life balance, and temporal environment. Uniquely positioned at the intersection of occupational therapy and workplace wellness, this initiative introduces a groundbreaking approach to occupational therapy practice in nontraditional settings. The program will be implemented virtually and delivered to a group of remote workers from the same company. Individualized assessments and benchmark check-ins aim at tailoring interventions to foster a holistic approach to employee health. Funding and dissemination are critical components to the program. Funding sources include a program fee paid by the participants’ employing companies and various grants. Furthermore, program evaluation will encompass both qualitative and quantitative measures, involving the researcher and participants and their employers. This project’s success holds the potential to pioneer new opportunities for occupational therapists, typically underrepresented in nontraditional settings such as corporations.