The actual and ideal indoor soundscape for work, relaxation, physical and sexual activity at home: A case study during the COVID-19 lockdown in London

Frontiers in Psychology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 13

Опубликована: Дек. 29, 2022

The period of home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic made importance a high-quality surrounding environment even more evident than before. Several studies have been carried out to assess (negative) impacts noise on annoyance, particularly whilst working from (WFH). present study takes step further by (1) investigating positive and negative "actual" acoustic range activities, i.e., WFH, relaxation, physical, sexual (2) identifying characteristics an "ideal" indoor soundscape. is based qualitative analysis verbal descriptions collected open-ended questions included in survey administered January 2021 464 respondents living London, lockdown. actual scenario varied no effect task execution, disruption, distraction, concern disturbing others or being heard. Positive support concentration, motivation, freedom sound expression, feeling connected surroundings comforted presence others, according mechanisms described study. Negative appraisal could trigger coping strategies (e.g., controlling windows, playing music, wearing headphones) behavioural changes lowering volume voice muting oneself call, changing workout type) that turn limit enhance behaviour, affect foster wellbeing. were most frequently reported WFH (by 55% participants), followed relaxation activities (40.6%), (30.1%), (20.1%). ideal soundscape was as quiet, well-sound insulated environment, which guarantees access sounds (i.e., natural sounds, urban background), thus resulting privacy, intimacy, place where express themselves without noise-related constraints. complements literature findings housing design directions light pandemic, providing evidence poor insulation at home, potential benefits nature-based solutions for soundscapes, opportunities activity-based domestic environments, inclusive broader set uses household compositions.

Язык: Английский

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A state-of-the-art, systematic review of indoor environmental quality studies in work-from-home settings

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 259, С. 111652 - 111652

Опубликована: Май 15, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in working from home worldwide, making the work-from-home (WFH) setting crucial context for studying influence of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on workers' well-being and productivity. A narrative visual synthesis 41 research articles IEQ WFH settings was conducted identify factors being measured their correlations with perceived productivity well-being. This review shows that conditions at were mainly within recommended international standards. However, some high maxima recorded, particularly metrics related air partly due wider availability evidence, which raised concerns regarding suitability while home. Despite presence these maxima, workers generally rated all highly. could possibly reflect lack awareness changes conditions, suggesting monitoring might be necessary when Compared traditional offices, seemed more satisfied although found deficient sound insulation, ergonomic technological support, leading multiple health complaints. Several studies have also demonstrated between assessments those productivity, physical mental Future should consider using longitudinal study design including representative samples, different seasons, multi-domain analyses, multicountry multicultural settings.

Язык: Английский

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The interplay of workplace satisfaction, activity support, and productivity support in the hybrid work context

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 261, С. 111729 - 111729

Опубликована: Июнь 6, 2024

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more employees started to work (partially) from home. As a consequence, there is new need find balance between working home and at office, optimize both workplaces support employees' activities perceived productivity. This study aims gain insights into relationships satisfaction with physical workplace features, activity support, productivity in hybrid context. Leesman data (N=57,286), collected March 2020 May 2021, was used perform path analysis, which allows simultaneously analyse multiple relationships. Findings suggest that experience of environment (either or office) specific task influences location decisions. concentrative collaborative office relate higher productivity, organizations are recommended redesign parts types activities.

Язык: Английский

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Perceived productivity when working from home: Insights into the global experience

International journal of organizational analysis, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 33(12), С. 56 - 74

Опубликована: Фев. 27, 2025

Purpose This study aims to provide insights into the experiences of working from home (WFH) in a global context perspective perceived productivity. Design/methodology/approach paper uses multivariate analysis benefiting an extensive data set almost 137,500 respondents 88 countries. Findings find that most are satisfied with their productivity when WFH: 70% agree or strongly “My environment enables me work productively”. The results further show socio-demographic factors, as well social and physical settings at home, associated perceptions Being younger, dissatisfied setting presence others seem decrease probability being productivity, whereas female seems increase it. However, some differences between countries exist controlling for home. Practical implications enhance understanding different while WFH valuable employers, employees policymakers on how support effectively. Originality/value value this lies its investigation environment, relation within truly context, also comparing

Язык: Английский

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Effects of home-sourced sensory disturbances on the work from home experience: A work-home boundary perspective

Work, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 24, 2025

Background: The modern work from home (WFH) arrangement presents a unique paradox, offering workers the freedom to customize their workspace while simultaneously exposing them potential negative effects blending of and domains, particularly through sensory disturbances nonwork sources. Objective: We examine relationships between spatial variables within workspaces (home size, location, depth) employees’ self-reported (visual, auditory, olfactory) experiences domain. explore how these relate two key worker outcomes consider may an individual's future intention home. Additionally, we integrate boundary theory explain interplay domains. Methods: 199 administrative staff were recruited email solicitations participate in online survey. After giving informed consent, participants provided demographic, workspace-related, attitudinal data. Data was gathered August September 2022. Results: Results show that individuals working kitchen open areas reported more visual than enclosed areas. Larger workplaces also associated with fewer auditory disturbances. In turn, increased stress home-to-work violations, which had relationship work-from-home intentions. Conclusions: findings highlight importance optimizing configuration minimize impact on work-home boundaries, thereby supporting sustainable experience.

Язык: Английский

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Differences in preferences for office attributes in hybrid working: Office versus Flexible Workdays

Journal of Environmental Psychology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 102587 - 102587

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Indoor environmental comfort in an antarctic research station: A case study

Journal of Building Engineering, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 86, С. 108948 - 108948

Опубликована: Март 4, 2024

Язык: Английский

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The relationship between various social work environment elements and hybrid worker well-being

Facilities, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 42(15/16), С. 1 - 16

Опубликована: Дек. 26, 2023

Purpose Work environments are undergoing a transition and COVID-19 accelerated this change. Prior studies have associated various physical, digital social work environment elements with occupational well-being. However, holistic approaches to the compare effects of different received less attention. The purpose study is examine relationship hybrid worker findings help organizations design their cultures for post-COVID era. Design/methodology/approach builds on quantitative survey 1,057 respondents. respondents were randomly selected, answers anonymous results based regression analysis. Findings analysis indicated that working methods practices, leadership management organizational communality interaction associate Organizational values, reward systems structures yield no association Originality/value value paper in it investigates environment, presents research model examines well-being provides new empirical data implications comparative manner.

Язык: Английский

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The Physical Environment in Remote Working: Development and Validation of Perceived Remote Workplace Environment Quality Indicators (PRWEQIs)

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 15(4), С. 2858 - 2858

Опубликована: Фев. 4, 2023

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and organizations have implemented remote working, resulting in partial overlap between home work environments. This study aimed to develop tool named Perceived Remote Workplace Environment Quality Indicators (PRWEQIs) impact environment on worker well-being. A preliminary 20-item version was developed. In Study 1, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) conducted sample students (N = 521); results were confirmed 2 through Confirmatory (CFA) workers 463). The final 15-item PRWEQIs include five indicators, Acoustic comfort, Visual furnishings, Safety, Space usability, second-order factor referring General perceived comfort. scale constitutes initial instrument for assessing perception physical-spatial qualities working environment.

Язык: Английский

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My home is my new office: The relationship between environmental comfort, workplace attachment, and psychological needs in the context of remote working

Journal of Environmental Psychology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 98, С. 102378 - 102378

Опубликована: Июль 14, 2024

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and organizations have implemented remote working, workers experienced an overlap between home work environments. Home environments, therefore, had to be readjusted in their spatial configurations meet satisfy needs workers. Through lens Self-Determination Theory, study aims investigate how perceived workplace environment quality indicators (PRWEQIs) can contribute greater working engagement through satisfaction autonomy, competence, relatedness attachment workplace. The research consists two cross-sectional studies. first one examines place-related relationship, satisfied by place features, mediate effect comfort on attachment. second analyzes satisfying same referred job activities, thus generating worker. provides supportive empirical evidence that also developed under conditions.

Язык: Английский

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