Non‐routine tasks and ICT tools in telework

Abstract

AbstractTelework has spread during the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). Using a unique individual‐level survey in Japan, we investigate how telework has changed the way people live and work and what impediments hamper telework use. As a result, we find that telework allows workers to spend more time on leisure and their families. Compared with routine task workers, non‐routine (abstract) task workers are more suited to telework. However, once engaged in telework, non‐routine task workers have fewer opportunities to communicate with coworkers, which is a serious impediment that tends to hamper work performance and compromise mental health.