Longitudinal Exploration of Productivity and Well-being in Hybrid Work Through Ecological Momentary Assessment and Environmental Sensing.

OBJECTIVE

To explore how hybrid workspaces (home vs. office) affect productivity and well-being, and whether indoor environmental quality (IEQ) mediates these associations.

METHODS

Nineteen office workers were followed for four months, contributing 4,559 ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) of productivity, mood, stress, and eustress-distress appraisal. Continuous IEQ monitoring captured CO₂, TVOCs, PM₂.₅, temperature, humidity, and noise. Mixed-effects and multilevel mediation models assessed within-person associations.

RESULTS

Office work was associated with higher productivity and greater eustress-distress coexistence, while home work was associated with higher boredom. Mood differences were small, and stress was modestly lower at home. Home workspaces showed poorer air quality. CO₂ and TVOCs were indirectly associated with mood and stress differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid work outcomes differ by location and are partly explained by IEQ, suggesting residential air quality as an occupational health intervention target.