The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work from home and employee productivity

TLDR

The study tests how working from home during COVID‑19 affects employee productivity and investigates gender as a moderating factor. Data from 250 employees across hospitality, banking, and IT sectors in India were analyzed with structural equation modeling and multi‑group moderation to test the hypotheses. Results show that working from home reduces employee productivity, with gender moderating this effect, supporting organizational adaptation theory.

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to test the relationship between work from home (WFH) and employee productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also examines the moderating role of gender in the relationship between WFH and employee productivity. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 250 respondents from hospitality, banking and information technology was taken from the National Capital Region and Punjab State of India. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and multi-group moderation analysis. Findings The findings provide support for the negative relationship between WFH and employee productivity. This study also provides empirical evidence that gender moderates the relationship between WFH and employee productivity. Originality/value This study is the first of its kind to test the relationship between WFH and employee productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study contributes to the organizational behavior literature by providing empirical support to the organizational adaptation theory.