The World Health Organization (WHO) today warned of the dangers of teleworking for physical health – such as back pain – and for mental health – such as social isolation, constant stress and loneliness – while predicted that the trend would continue after the pandemic ended as workers struggled to focus on its benefits.
“When properly organized and supported, teleworking can have a positive effect on the employee’s physical and mental health and social life. However, when teleworking health and safety risks are not avoided and workers can not do healthy options while teleworking, this type of work can have significant negative effects on health “, states the WHO in a technical summary for safe and healthy teleworking.
In the text, the WHO emphasizes that prolonged work on the computer with a remote connection can result in musculoskeletal injuries and eye strain, affecting the mental health of teleworkers as it contributes to stress.
Among other risks to physical health, the WHO emphasizes heat intolerance, lighting, electronic device safety and air quality in workers’ homes.
While the WHO emphasizes that mental health risks are largely based on employees’ work preferences, it warns of the possibility of social isolation, loneliness, anxiety and guilt.
The Agency’s study also found that teleworking resulted in an increase in the number of domestic and peer-to-peer conflicts.
The WHO and the International Labor Organization (ILO) are calling for critical changes to protect workers’ health as they are likely to continue to work from home after the pandemic as both workers and employers have seen some benefits from this new employment regime.
The WHO and the ILO have proposed, inter alia, the provision of appropriate equipment for work from home, the provision of guidance and training to reduce the effects on mental health, the provision of adequate leave of rest and the “right to disconnect “, ie not allow employers to harass them outside working hours.
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