Telework During and After COVID-19: The Role of FSSB and Boundary Management in Teleworkers' Well-Being.

Abstract

Telework gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for this flexible work arrangement to be a favourable option nowadays, specific conditions may be necessary such as supervisory support (FSSB) and boundary management strategies. Nonetheless, telework conditions during COVID-19 may have differed from those after the pandemic. Drawing on border theory and the conservation of resources theory, FSSB is framed in this paper as an important contextual resource for teleworkers' well-being. Furthermore, boundary management strategies (i.e., boundary control and enacted work-family segmentation) are explored as linking mechanisms between FSSB and teleworkers' well-being. Study 1, with a cross-sectional design, captured telework during COVID-19, and Study 2, with a daily design, captured telework after COVID-19 with the moderating role of frequency of daily changes in the workplace, that is, telework and in-house work. Consistent findings were observed across both studies indicating not only the critical role of FSSB for teleworkers' well-being (i.e., burnout and work engagement) but also the boundary management strategies as mediators. Moreover, Study 2 reveals that the fewer the changes in the workplace, the more FSSB are needed.