Association between the Physical Work Environment and Work functioning Impairment While Working from Home Under the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japanese Workers.

Okawara, Makoto; Ishimaru, Tomohiro; Tateishi, Seiichiro; Hino, Ayako; Tsuji, Mayumi; Ikegami, Kazunori; Nagata, Masako; Matsuda, Shinya; Fujino, Yoshihisa

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between the physical work environment and work function while working from home (WFH). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data from 5,760 workers who worked from home at least 1 day a month were analyzed. The physical work environment while WFH was used as an exposure factor. The presence of work functioning impairment was measured using WFun. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used with the prefecture of residence as a random effect. RESULTS Work functioning impairment was significantly associated with a "No" response to recommended environments. The highest OR of work functioning impairment was associated with a "No" response to "There is enough light to do my work" (aOR: 2.02, 95%CI: 1.73-2.35, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Improving work environments may prevent negative health effects and improve productivity while WFH.