Health impacts of telework, specificity of pandemic COVID-19-related containment and key prevention measures for employers
| Family of risk | Effect of telework | Amplification or reduction in the context of COVID-19-related containment | Key prevention measures for employers |
| Risks associated with transportation | |||
| Decreased | None | – | |
| Risks associated with home working environment | |||
| Increased risks associated with housing (fire, and slip, trip and fall hazards, temperature conditions) | Amplified (lack of anticipation) | Diffusion of simple, pragmatic security messages | |
| Increased risks associated with workstation (musculoskeletal pain) | Ambiguous (potentially amplified due to the lack of anticipation, poorly suited home working environment and reduced physical activity, but short duration of exposure) | Diffusion of simple, pragmatic messages on ergonomics5; financial contribution to adapted equipment (adjustable chair and computer station); promotion of physical activity | |
| Psychosocial risks | |||
| Increased risks of social isolation in the professional sphere | Reduced (universalisation of telework) | Adoption of virtual collective working periods (teleconferences) | |
| Increased risk of blurring of boundaries between work and home time | Potentially amplified by the multiplication of non-work-related tasks such as caring for children and facilitating home schooling | Adapt working time and schedule for workers ensuring home childcare | |
| Behavioural risks (diet, sleep, addiction) | |||
| Ambiguous | Amplified (confinement, covid-linked anxiety) | Allow and promote teleconsultations with occupational practitioners | |