The Relationship between the Degree of Remote Working and Remote Work Exhaustion

Abstract

Remote working is a practice that has newly become adopted around the world as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the degree of remote working relates to a relatively new phenomenon, namely remote work exhaustion, and a better-known outcome, namely job engagement. A survey study with 215 participants showed that, contrary to hypothesis, the degree of remote work did not relate to remote work exhaustion or job engagement. Furthermore, there was no support for the role of perceived inclusion as a mediator in these relationships. Finally, sociability of the online environment and individual sociability did not moderate hypothesised relationships. Future research should focus on different variables when investigating the effects of remote work exhaustion. It should also explore remote working as a demand and a resource simultaneously. Future research should also investigate the big five personalities when conducting further research on the topic