When telework is a burden rather than a perk: The roles of knowledge sharing and supervisor social support in mitigating adverse effects of telework during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Due to increased telework as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the literature has called for exploring the impacts of imposed telework on work- and well-being-related outcomes. To answer this call, we investigated the effects of the amount of telework on perceived productivity, work engagement, and social isolation during the beginning of the pandemic. Moreover, leaning on self-determination theory, we examined the role of knowledge sharing as an underlying mechanism and supervisor social support as a buffer for these effects. Using a weekly diary study, we gathered 847 datasets from 167 individuals. Results revealed negative correlations of telework with productivity and engagement and a positive correlation with social isolation. Knowledge sharing positively related to the outcomes but did not mediate the effects of telework on them. However, supervisor social support did moderate the relationship between telework and knowledge sharing. With very low-level supervisor social support, large amounts of telework were accompanied by reduced knowledge sharing. Hence, imposed telework during the pandemic acted as a burden. If supervisors failed to provide social support, telework was associated with less productivity and work engagement but greater social isolation via reduced knowledge sharing. Supervisors should adjust their behavior and support knowledge sharing in imposed telework arrangements.