Mobiles Arbeiten der Verwaltungsmitarbeiter*innen bei USB Bochum GmbH und angeschlossenen Unternehmen vor und während Corona bedingter Beschränkungen – Erste Ergebnisse einer Längsschnittstudie

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, the USB family made it possible for their administrative staff to work from home. Support measures for mobile working were implemented and supported by a company works agreement. A longitudinal survey is conducted to accompany these measures. The first results of the first survey are presented here. The aim of this survey is to compare the pre-Corona working situation without home office (2/2020) with the working situation during Corona—after the introduction of home office (10/2020). 68 people took part in the anonymous online survey. 41.2% of the participants work exclusively in the office, the remainder works partly/completely from home. Half of the latter do this due to a direct order. In the course of a retrospective survey the following becomes evident. 91.0% score occupational safety as equal or better. The participants save an average of 2.3 h per week. Small negative effects can be observed in the exchange of information and availability (Cohen’s d both −0.27). The desire to exchange ideas privately with colleagues increases to a small extent (Cohen’s d = 0.22). There is no increase in delimitation and overtime by colleagues. An effect of close to medium strength can be seen in the work-life balance (Cohen’s d = 0.49); satisfaction increases here. A medium effect towards an improvement can be found in undisturbed work (Cohen’s d = 0.66). The result shows a small effect in terms of increasing satisfaction with the work situation (Cohen’s d = 0.24). 85.3% state that they can do the job equally well or better in October than in February. Due to the altered situation participants will save an average of 5.9 km of travel per week. Practical Relevance: Improved understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of switching to mobile working in a medium-sized company.