The Effect of Working at Home Versus at the Office on Risk of Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Agents. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Working in the office entails to various extent contact with colleagues, and for some it includes close contact to others when using public transport to and from work. This likely increases the risk of transmission and many workplaces along with health authorities have strongly advised employees to work from home as much as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, most people are infected from other family members, and working from home increases exposure to other family members.

There are few, if any trials on the effects of teleworking/home office on the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory agents. Studies that have looked at associations between teleworking and COVID-19 have found a negative correlation.

A systematic review from the National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) showed that workers working from home experienced higher work satisfaction and productivity, while also reporting negative effects on work-life balance, professional isolation and working outside core hours. Effects on health outcomes were mixed. The quality of the studies was generally judged as low.

However, working at the office could mean increased exposure to transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory agents. Thus, both interventions do pose potential benefits and harms for the participants.

Working from home is a broadly applied intervention nationally and internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing what effect this intervention has on actual spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory agents could hence provide valuable insight to national and local authorities and decision-makers.