| This qualitative action research study examines the health outcomes among teleworkers and non-teleworkers in an undisclosed federal agency following the agency's implementation of an expanded telework policy. A total of 265 teleworkers in a test group and 265 non-teleworkers in a non-test group completed a survey including questions to assess their physical, emotional, and mental health. Feedback was also solicited on general health improvements, as well as to determine why some employees elected to not participate in the new telework program. Study results indicate that teleworkers are notably healthier than non-teleworkers. Data collected regarding health complaints in the test and control group were closely related, which is an indication that existing health complaints in teleworkers and non-teleworkers are different than those specific health indicators targeted in this study. The conclusion of this study is that positive health outcomes are associated with the agency's new telework program. However, agency leaders and policymakers are also recommended to (a) review the reasons why some employees are denied telework, (b) determine the reasons for mismanagement of telework, (c) establish a collaborative employee management process for resolving issues associated with telework (e.g., lack of ergonomic telework equipment, time management for teleworkers, and lack of supervisor support for telework), and (d) require that staffs include telework improvement goals as part of their annual high priority goals. |
