A Public Health France survey highlights the link between teleworking conditions and certain health problems such as lower back pain or depression.
- According to existing studies, teleworking can be the cause of increased sedentary lifestyle, adoption of prolonged and uncomfortable trunk postures or even an increase in psychosocial risks, such as social isolation, which influence the occurrence and progression of low back pain.
- The amount of teleworking done each week has an impact on the risk of developing low back pain: 9% of full-time teleworkers reported low back pain, compared to 5% of part-time teleworkers.
- Santé Publique France identifies action levers to reduce the impact of teleworking on health: flexible working hours, regular physical activity, stretching sessions, ergonomic layout of home work spaces. ..
Increased sedentary lifestyle, prolonged adoption of uncomfortable postures, social isolation… What impact does teleworking, widespread by the successive confinements linked to the Covid epidemic of 2020, have on the well-being of workers? A news study conducted by Santé Publique France, based on a panel from theCoviProv surveyexamines the link between teleworking conditions and certain health problems, such as low back pain or depression.
9% of full-time teleworkers have developed lower back pain
The health agency relied on data from nearly 1,500 workers who did not have lower back pain at the start of the third confinement, in March 2021. In order to measure the consequences of teleworking on their health, they took into account several variables such as the number of days teleworked, the level of satisfaction with teleworking conditions, age, body size, etc. As a result, it appears that the quantity of teleworking carried out each week has an impact on the risk of develop low back pain: 9% of full-time teleworkers reported low back pain, compared to 5% of part-time teleworkers. Figures which underline the importance of finding a balance between teleworking and in-person work in order to reduce health risks.
Teleworking would also have an impact on the mental health of workers. The study indeed shows an increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms among teleworkers, compared to those who work face-to-face. Several factors are involved, such as social isolation, lack of interaction with colleagues, or the difficulty in separating professional and personal life. It is therefore essential to put in place psychological support actions for teleworkers, such as coaching sessions or support groups.
Ways to reduce the impact of teleworking on health
The Public Health France study identifies several levers of action to reduce the impact of teleworking on the health of workers. It is particularly recommended to establish flexible working hours, to encourage the maintenance of regular physical activity, to set up stretching sessions, or to ensure the ergonomic layout of work spaces. home. It is also important to set up regular monitoring of workers’ health, via medical consultations or online, to detect and treat health problems as soon as they appear.