Within- and between-person changes in work practice and experiences due to COVID-19: Lessons learned from employees working from home, hybrid working, and working at the office

This study examined changes in work practices and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic using a mixed-methods approach with panel data collected twice from an insurance company in Norway.

Key findings:

1. Main reasons for working from home were to maintain social distance, avoid contagion, and protect loved ones. Flexibility and time savings were also motivators.
2. Most employees reported having necessary technical equipment to work from home and wanted more opportunities for home office in the future.
3. Work-family balance and workload were similar across age, gender, and worksites.
4. Women and home office workers reported more fear of COVID-19 infection at work.
5. Younger employees experienced less social contact with colleagues compared to older employees.
6. Home office workers were more positive toward digital solutions than office workers.
7. Work motivation and digital competence decreased over time for all worksites.
8. Productivity increased for home office workers but decreased for hybrid and office workers.

The study contributes to understanding employee experiences with different worksite solutions, which may inform future hybrid work arrangements. It highlights both challenges and opportunities associated with remote work during the pandemic.