Impact of workplace displacement during a natural disaster on computer performance metrics: A 2-year interrupted time series analysis. uri icon

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Remote working may enhance company resiliency during natural disasters and other events causing workplace displacement. OBJECTIVE: We conducted an interrupted time series analysis to investigate the impact of Hurricane Harvey on employee computer use during and after a seven-month displacement period from the physical workplace. METHODS: Ergonomic software was used to collect information on employees' computer usage. RESULTS: Although there was no change in total computer use in response to the hurricane ( 0.25), active computer use significantly declined ( -0.90). All measured computer use behaviors returned to baseline prior to the complete return to the physical workspace. CONCLUSION: Despite a transient period of reduced activity during closure of the workplace building, productivity returned to normal prior to the employees' return to a commercial workspace. The ability to work remotely may improve resiliency of employees to perform workplace tasks during events causing workplace displacement.

published proceedings

  • Work

altmetric score

  • 324.956

author list (cited authors)

  • Sarnosky, K., Benden, M., Sansom, G., Cizmas, L., & Regan, A. K.

citation count

  • 3

complete list of authors

  • Sarnosky, Kamrie||Benden, Mark||Sansom, Garett||Cizmas, Leslie||Regan, Annette K

editor list (cited editors)

  • Davis, K., & Kotowski, S.

publication date

  • February 2022

published in