An Exploration of Work-Life Wellness and Remote Work During and Beyond COVID-19

Understanding work-life wellness contributes to improving the physical health, mental health, and productivity of remote workers. Due to physical distancing guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees have been working from home, often without adequate training and resources. How has the work-life wellness of remote workers been impacted by this rapid transition to remote work, and how can work-life wellness be improved during and beyond these unprecedented times? Scholarly analyses about COVID-19 and remote work were reviewed, along with publications about remote work and work-life wellness. The literature indicates that the work-life wellness of remote workers could be influenced by lack of organizational supports during the transition to remote work, combined with COVID-19 related stress. Beyond the pandemic, organizations and employees will need support to find suitable remote work plans. Career development practitioners can assist clients by being aware of how the transition to remote work may be further complicated by home dynamics, COVID stress, overworking, and challenges collaborating. More research is needed to better support the new remote workforce, including choosing the most relevant construct to describe the relationship between work and life, understanding how COVID stress influences work-life wellness in the long term, and testing related training programs.