Home-based Telework in Physical, Social, Psychological Contexts, and Well-being of Filipino Online Freelancers

Home-based telework may appear appealing, but inadequate awareness of its health implications can introduce potential risks. This research investigated how the physical, social, and psychological contexts of home-based telework influence the well-being of Filipino online freelancers. The physical context is divided into ergonomics and health conditions, the social context into social interaction and team dynamics, and the psychological context into stress and job insecurity. Employing descriptive-correlational and causal research methodologies, the study surveyed a randomly selected 107 participants, utilizing an adapted 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Results indicated that participants rated ergonomics as high and health conditions as moderately high in the physical context. Social interaction and team dynamics were also rated as high in the social context. Regarding the psychological context, stress and job insecurity were rated as moderately high. Overall, participants reported a high level of well-being. The study found significant relationships between the physical, social, and psychological contexts of home-based telework and well-being, with social interaction having the most significant impact. Further research on long-term teleworkers could provide deeper insights into these impacts. These findings suggest that improving telework conditions can enhance work and personal life satisfaction and mitigate potential health risks through implementation of ergonomics programs to optimize workstation setup for comfort and productivity, regular physical activity, expanding social circles beyond existing network, strengthening social support within teams, establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life to reduce stress, and creating government policies that bring online clients and freelancers into agreements that safeguard the rights of both parties to foster a secure and equitable working environment.