A new technical report on safe and healthy teleworking from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), urge employers and governments to adopt measures to protect the health of workers who carry out home office.
The report of the two organisms exposes the benefits and risks of teleworking for health, as well as the changes necessary to adapt to the new forms of remote work.
As benefits of remote work they point out:
– Better balance between work and personal life
– Flexible schedules
– Possibility of physical activity
– Reduction of vehicle traffic
– Save time on commuting
– Decrease in air pollution
This can improve physical and mental health and means increased productivity and reduced operating costs for many businesses.
But the report also warns that, without adequate planning, organization and assistance in health and safety, teleworking can have significant repercussions on the physical and psychological health and social well-being of workersas it can lead to:
– Isolation
– exhaustion
– Depression
– domestic violence
– Musculoskeletal and other injuries
– Eye fatigue
– Increased consumption of tobacco and alcohol
– Excessive time sitting in front of a screen
– Harmful weight gain
“Telecommuting can easily bring health benefits, but can also have a detrimental effect”, said Dr. Maria Neira, a WHO official. “Which way the balance tips depends entirely on governments, employers and workers working together, and on there being agile and imaginative occupational health servicesin order to implement policies and practices that benefit both workers and work”.
According to the study, among measures to be put in place by employers and governmentsthey include:
– That the workers have the proper equipment to complete work tasks
– Provide relevant information, guidelines and training for reduce the psychosocial and emotional health effect of teleworking
– Train managers in effective risk managementremote management and health promotion in the workplace
– Establish the “right to disconnect” and sufficient rest days
According to the report, occupational health services must be trained to provide ergonomic, mental and psychosocial health assistance to those who work remotelythrough digital telehealth technologies.
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