Workstation setup satisfaction and environmental comfort: Impacts on the well-being of homeworkers in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background

Work from home (WFH) has become a popular option for office employees since the outbreak of COVID-19. Office settings and environments that affect employees’ well-being have been widely researched. However, research on the homeworkers’ home setting while working from home and employees’ well-being in Hong Kong is limited.

Objective

The study explored the association between WFH settings, including home workstation satisfaction and home environment comfort, and employees’ physical and psychological well-being.

Methods

Data were collected via online questionnaires from homeworkers (N = 222) during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. The association between each variable was examined using the Pearson correlation. Hierarchical regression analysis was then used to explore the models of homeworkers’ physical and psychological well-being regarding the satisfaction of home workstations and the comfort of the homeworkers’ home environment.

Results

Home workstation satisfaction positively correlates to employees’ physical well-being but is not significantly correlated to employees’ psychological well-being. Meanwhile, home environmental comfort positively correlates to both physical and psychological well-being.

Conclusions

The study offers the following implications for practice to organization: Implement a WFH policy and ergonomics program with professional guidance by an ergonomist; provide suitable furniture for homeworkers and create a workstation setup guide, along with an environmental comfort checklist. Homeworkers: set up an appropriate workstation, arrange a comfortable work environment, and maintain a good work practice of taking regular breaks. Designers: Interior designers create unique spaces that enhance work–life balance, while product designers develop flexible solutions for remote work in shared living environments.