Introduction
Methods
Participants
Survey
Analysis
Results
Results of questions asked in the initial (n = 1617) and follow-up (n = 382) surveys
Demographics
Initial (n = 1617) | Follow-up (n = 382) | |
---|---|---|
Age
b
| ||
18–25 years | 37 (2.3%) | 10 (2.6%) |
26–35 years | 377 (23.3%) | 114 (29.8%) |
36–45 years | 439 (27.1%) | 102 (26.7%) |
46–55 years | 428 (26.5%) | 86 (22.5%) |
56 years and over | 336 (20.8%) | 69 (18.1%) |
Gender
b
| ||
Man | 509 (31.5%) | 115 (30.1%) |
Woman | 1108 (68.5%) | 262 (68.6%) |
Non-binary | NA e | 3 (0.8%) |
Other | 0 (0.00%) | NA e |
Province
| ||
Alberta | 24 (1.5%) | 6 (1.6%) |
British Columbia | 70 (4.3%) | 17 (4.5%) |
Manitoba | 45 (2.8%) | 8 (2.1%) |
New Brunswick | 65 (4%) | 6 (1.6%) |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 32 (2%) | 6 (1.6%) |
Nova Scotia | 11 (0.7%) | 5 (1.3%) |
Nunavut | 12 (0.7%) | 2 (0.5%) |
Ontario | 1284 (79.4%) | 326 (85.3%) |
Prince Edward Island | 2 (0.1%) | 0 (0.0%) |
Quebec | 23 (1.4%) | 1 (0.3%) |
Saskatchewan | 48 (3%) | 5 (1.3%) |
Yukon | 1 (0.1%) | 0 (0.0%) |
Industry
a
| ||
Accommodation and Food Services | 3 (0.2%) | 1 (0.3%) |
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing | 7 (0.4%) | 2 (0.5%) |
Arts, Recreation Services | 12 (0.7%) | 4 (1%) |
Construction | 53 (3.3%) | 11 (2.9%) |
Education and Training | 285 (17.6%) | 91 (23.8%) |
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | 28 (1.7%) | 7 (1.8%) |
Financial and Insurance Services | 153 (9.5%) | 28 (7.3%) |
Healthcare and Social Assistance | 178 (11%) | 33 (8.6%) |
Information, Media and Telecommunications | 207 (12.8%) | 40 (10.5%) |
Manufacturing | 65 (4%) | 16 (4.2%) |
Mining | 5 (0.3%) | 3 (0.8%) |
Other Services | 10 (0.6%) | 2 (0.5%) |
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 240 (14.8%) | 52 (13.6%) |
Public Administration and Safety | 222 (13.7%) | 31 (8.1%) |
Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services | 5 (0.3%) | 2 (0.5%) |
Retail Trade | 11 (0.7%) | 2 (0.5%) |
Transport, Postal & Warehousing | 22 (1.4%) | 9 (2.4%) |
Wholesale Trade | 6 (0.4%) | 2 (0.5%) |
Other | 78 (4.8%) | 46 (12%) |
Sector
b
| ||
Not for profit sector | 281 (17.4%) | 62 (16.2%) |
Private sector | 508 (31.4%) | 115 (30.1%) |
Public sector | 814 (50.3%) | 197 (51.6%) |
Self employed | 14 (0.9%) | 3 (0.8%) |
Role
b
| ||
Clerical/Administrative Worker | 583 (36.1%) | 113 (29.6%) |
Community & Personal Service Worker | 21 (1.3%) | 8 (2.1%) |
Labourers | 5 (0.3%) | 1 (0.3%) |
Machinery Operators & Drivers | 3 (0.2%) | 1 (0.3%) |
Manager | 238 (14.7%) | 62 (16.2%) |
Professional | 680 (42.1%) | 168 (44%) |
Sales Worker | 37 (2.3%) | 11 (2.9%) |
Technician & Trade Worker | 50 (3.1%) | 15 (3.9%) |
Business size
b
| ||
Sole Trader/Self-Employed | 12 (0.7%) | 2 (0.5%) |
2–19 employees | 128 (7.9%) | 30 (7.9%) |
20–199 employees | 234 (14.5%) | 47 (12.3%) |
200 + employees | 1243 (76.9%) | 301 (78.8%) |
Living arrangements
| ||
Alone | 195 (12.1%) | 45 (11.8%) |
With one or more adults | 825 (51%) | 212 (55.5%) |
With one or more adults and children below 18 years | 550 (34%) | 117 (30.6%) |
With one or more children below 18 years | 47 (2.9%) | 8 (2.1%) |
Number of children receive care
a, c
| ||
None | 32 (2%) | 6 (1.6%) |
1 | 218 (13.5%) | 43 (11.3%) |
2 | 274 (16.9%) | 63 (16.5%) |
3 | 55 (3.4%) | 11 (2.9%) |
4 | 12 (0.7%) | 2 (0.5%) |
5 or more | 3 (0.2%) | 0 (0.0%) |
Number of children at home when WFH
c
| ||
None | 170 (10.5%) | 11 (2.9%) |
1 | 223 (13.8%) | 50 (13.1%) |
2 | 165 (10.2%) | 53 (13.9%) |
3 | 31 (1.9%) | 9 (2.4%) |
4 | 5 (0.3%) | 2 (0.5%) |
5 or more | 3 (0.2%) | 0 (0.0%) |
Age group(s) of children at home when WFH
c, d
| ||
Less than 4 years | 106 (6.6%) | 23 (6%) |
4–6 years | 86 (5.3%) | 26 (6.8%) |
6–8 years | 65 (4%) | 35 (9.2%) |
8–12 years | 116 (7.2%) | 39 (10.2%) |
12–16 years | 127 (7.9%) | 34 (8.9%) |
16–18 years | 80 (4.9%) | 22 (5.8%) |
Homeschooling children
a, b, c
| ||
No | 513 (31.7%) | 96 (25.1%) |
Yes | 78 (4.8%) | 26 (6.8%) |
Number of hours involved in children’s education
a, c
| ||
None | 6 (0.4%) | 2 (0.5%) |
1–2 h | 32 (2%) | 12 (3.1%) |
2–3 h | 15 (0.9%) | 5 (1.3%) |
3–4 h | 11 (0.7%) | 3 (0.8%) |
More than 4 h | 9 (0.6%) | 4 (1%) |
Number of days per week children attend virtual classes
c
| ||
1 day | 11 (0.7%) | 3 (0.8%) |
2 days | 8 (0.5%) | 1 (0.3%) |
3 days | 8 (0.5%) | 2 (0.5%) |
4 days | 6 (0.4%) | 0 (0.0%) |
5 days | 46 (2.8%) | 19 (5%) |
Dependents other than children
| ||
No | 1345 (83.2%) | 329 (86.1%) |
Yes, adult(s) living elsewhere | 108 (6.7%) | 32 (8.4%) |
Yes, adult(s) living with me | 135 (8.3%) | 17 (4.5%) |
Other | 19 (1.2%) | 1 (0.3%) |
WFH preferences: number of preferred days
Initial (n = 1617) | Follow-up (n = 382) | |
---|---|---|
Number of days prefer to WFH in non-pandemic time
b
| ||
None | 105 (6.5%) | 24 (6.3%) |
1 day/week | 84 (5.2%) | 19 (5%) |
2 days/week | 275 (17%) | 68 (17.8%) |
3 days/week | 360 (22.3%) | 105 (27.5%) |
4 days/week | 210 (13%) | 45 (11.8%) |
Every day | 583 (36.1%) | 119 (31.2%) |
Number of days prefer to WFH with low risk of COVID-19
a, b
| ||
None | 95 (5.9%) | 19 (5%) |
1 day/week | 60 (3.7%) | 16 (4.2%) |
2 days/week | 191 (11.8%) | 61 (16%) |
3 days/week | 266 (16.5%) | 90 (23.6%) |
4 days/week | 226 (14%) | 51 (13.4%) |
Every day | 769 (47.6%) | 141 (36.9%) |
Number of days prefer to WFH with high risk of COVID-19
a, b
| ||
None | 91 (5.6%) | 21 (5.5%) |
1 day/week | 7 (0.4%) | 4 (1%) |
2 days/week | 28 (1.7%) | 4 (1%) |
3 days/week | 42 (2.6%) | 20 (5.2%) |
4 days/week | 63 (3.9%) | 9 (2.4%) |
Every day | 1376 (85.1%) | 322 (84.3%) |
Workstation setup training
Results of questions asked only in the initial survey (n = 1617)
Employment situation: frequency of WFH
Provision of hardware technology
Provision and usage of software technology
Technology support, technology complexity, and productivity
Results of questions asked only in the follow-up survey (n = 382)
Employment situation: employment status, salary changes, sick days, and working arrangements
Productivity
WFH preferences: primary reasons for preference
Organization’s return to work plan
Results of within-individual analyses between initial and follow-up
Mental and physical health and well-being
Total (n) | Initial (Mean ± SD) | Follow-up (Mean ± SD) | p-value | |
---|---|---|---|---|
COPSOQ dimensions (max score = 5)
| ||||
Quantitative Demands a | 382 | 2.47 ± 0.97 | 2.53 ± 0.98 | 0.236 |
Influence at Work a | 371 | 3.11 ± 1.02 | 3.10 ± 1.00 | 0.652 |
Predictability b | 377 | 3.31 ± 0.99 | 3.33 ± 0.98 | 0.904 |
Recognition b | 366 | 3.87 ± 1.06 | 3.81 ± 1.09 | 0.167 |
Role Clarity b | 378 | 3.91 ± 0.92 | 3.91 ± 0.85 | 0.614 |
Role Conflict b | 372 | 2.69 ± 1.12 | 2.65 ± 1.05 | 0.633 |
Quality of Leadership b | 306 | 3.54 ± 1.17 | 3.47 ± 1.16 | 0.206 |
Social Support from Supervisor a | 366 | 4.11 ± 1.05 | 4.05 ± 1.02 | 0.211 |
Social Support from Colleagues a | 371 | 4.08 ± 0.90 | 4.07 ± 0.91 | 0.961 |
Sense of Community at Work a | 377 | 3.97 ± 0.87 | 3.90 ± 0.86 | 0.076 |
Job Insecurity b | 334 | 2.64 ± 1.23 | 2.44 ± 1.17 |
< 0.001
|
Insecurity over Working Conditions b | 292 | 1.84 ± 1.00 | 1.66 ± 0.91 |
0.002
|
Job Satisfaction d | 381 | 3.97 ± 1.09 | 4.01 ± 0.98 | 0.604 |
Vertical Trust b | 352 | 3.73 ± 1.00 | 3.69 ± 0.96 | 0.222 |
Organizational Justice b | 280 | 3.44 ± 1.06 | 3.51 ± 1.02 | 0.217 |
Burnout a | 382 | 3.31 ± 0.90 | 3.19 ± 0.98 |
0.001
|
Stress a | 382 | 3.09 ± 0.89 | 2.97 ± 0.98 |
0.001
|
Somatic Stress a | 381 | 2.27 ± 0.84 | 2.20 ± 0.88 | 0.098 |
Cognitive Stress a | 382 | 2.64 ± 0.87 | 2.68 ± 0.98 | 0.328 |
General Physical Health c | 382 | 3.11 ± 0.95 | 3.07 ± 0.91 | 0.281 |
General Mental Health c | 382 | 3.08 ± 0.99 | 2.91 ± 0.95 |
< 0.001
|
Work-family and family-work conflicts (max score = 7)
| ||||
Work-family conflict e | 382 | 3.25 ± 1.70 | 3.18 ± 1.64 | 0.168 |
Family-work conflict e | 382 | 2.58 ± 1.54 | 2.65 ± 1.55 | 0.275 |
Satisfaction with division of childcare and household tasks (max score = 5)
| ||||
Childcare tasks f | 75 | 3.81 ± 1.17 | 3.60 ± 1.22 | 0.125 |
Household tasks f | 332 | 3.68 ± 1.20 | 3.64 ± 1.20 | 0.515 |
WFH experience
g
(max score = 5)
| ||||
I can get help and feedback from my work colleagues, if needed h | 375 | 2.76 ± 0.83 | 3.00 ± 0.71 |
< 0.001
|
I can get help and feedback from my immediate supervisor, if needed h | 370 | 2.89 ± 0.81 | 2.98 ± 0.78 | 0.095 |
I receive information that keeps me in touch with workplace events and developments h | 376 | 2.88 ± 0.87 | 2.99 ± 0.77 |
0.026
|
I feel a good sense of community with my work colleagues h | 376 | 2.54 ± 1.03 | 2.82 ± 0.83 |
< 0.001
|
Trying to work productively is stressful or frustrating h | 375 | 3.07 ± 1.17 | 3.01 ± 0.95 | 0.290 |
Work interferes with my home or family life h | 375 | 2.89 ± 1.14 | 2.90 ± 0.96 | 0.767 |
I often feel tired or exhausted h | 377 | 3.27 ± 1.18 | 3.28 ± 1.01 | 0.764 |
I enjoy my work and the job overall h | 376 | 3.15 ± 1.05 | 3.10 ± 0.93 | 0.299 |
Pain score (max score = 12)
| ||||
Neck and shoulders i | 379 | 3.70 ± 3.15 | 3.33 ± 2.96 |
0.004
|
Hands and fingers i | 381 | 1.46 ± 2.25 | 1.51 ± 2.34 | 0.581 |
Arms i | 381 | 1.07 ± 2.01 | 0.96 ± 1.92 | 0.204 |
Middle and/or lower back i | 381 | 3.17 ± 3.15 | 3.18 ± 3.31 | 0.512 |
Hips, bottom, legs, or feet i | 381 | 2.19 ± 2.80 | 2.43 ± 3.12 | 0.402 |
Sedentary behaviour (% of time)
| ||||
During work hours | ||||
Sitting | 382 | 84.37 ± 17.88 | 82.90 ± 19.48 |
0.035
|
Standing | 382 | 8.66 ± 11.98 | 9.67 ± 13.57 | 0.196 |
Walking | 382 | 5.91 ± 7.24 | 5.95 ± 7.51 | 0.831 |
Performing heavy labour or physically demanding tasks | 382 | 0.40 ± 2.85 | 0.43 ± 2.39 | 0.340 |
During non-work hours | ||||
Sitting | 382 | 50.35 ± 24.75 | 48.70 ± 23.08 | 0.178 |
Standing | 382 | 22.82 ± 16.77 | 21.34 ± 14.41 | 0.108 |
Walking | 382 | 21.12 ± 15.05 | 22.27 ± 14.87 | 0.332 |
Performing heavy labour or physically demanding tasks | 382 | 4.28 ± 8.16 | 5.44 ± 8.45 |
0.014
|
Workstation comfort, workstation location, and hardware technology usage
Total (n) | Initial | Follow-up | p-value | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Workstation location
| 382 | 0.055 a | ||
Separate Room | 252 (66%) | 266 (69.6%) | ||
Separate Room with interruptions | 65 (17%) | 68 (17.8%) | ||
Work Wherever | 65 (17%) | 48 (12.6%) | ||
Hardware technology usage
| ||||
Adjustable chair | 381 |
0.015
b
| ||
No | 113 (29.7%) | 92 (24.1%) | ||
Yes | 268 (70.3%) | 289 (75.9%) | ||
Laptop | 382 | 0.579 b | ||
No | 43 (11.3%) | 40 (10.5%) | ||
Yes | 339 (88.7%) | 342 (89.5%) | ||
Separate keyboard and/or mouse with laptop | 376 | 0.136 a | ||
Both keyboard and mouse | 234 (62.2%) | 248 (66%) | ||
Keyboard only | 2 (0.5%) | 4 (1.1%) | ||
Mouse only | 63 (16.8%) | 63 (16.8%) | ||
Neither | 77 (20.5%) | 61 (16.2%) | ||
Secondary monitor with laptop | 335 |
0.021
b
| ||
No | 112 (33.4%) | 97 (29%) | ||
Yes | 223 (66.6%) | 238 (71%) | ||
Desktop | 382 | 0.409 b | ||
No | 235 (61.5%) | 243 (63.6%) | ||
Yes | 147 (38.5%) | 139 (36.4%) | ||
Secondary screen with desktop | 107 | 1 b | ||
No | 35 (32.7%) | 35 (32.7%) | ||
Yes | 72 (67.3%) | 72 (67.3%) | ||
Phone/Tablet | 382 | 0.374 b | ||
No | 79 (20.7%) | 87 (22.8%) | ||
Yes | 303 (79.3%) | 295 (77.2%) |