How Does the Availability of a Telework System Affect Teleworkers?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of telework on employees using panel data, based on changes in teleworkers. In particular, we analyzed the happiness, life satisfaction, and weekly working hours of those working remotely, focusing on whether or not they were covered by a telework system.

It was found that telecommuting by those not covered by a system, i.e., those simply taking their work out of the workplace and potentially working overtime, may reduce well-being and, life satisfaction, and increase the number of hours worked per week. On the other hand, in the case of those telecommuting under a system, the impact was positive. This implies that in order for telework to have a positive effect on employees’ working environment, it is important that telework is in place and applied as a system.