Distractions at home undermine the benefits of remote work, study suggests

New research from Durham University Business School suggests that remote work may undermine people’s wellbeing and productivity when domestic distractions interrupt the working day. The study, led by Professor Jakob Stollberger, found that interruptions from home life can disrupt concentration, reduce task completion and have a negative impact on employees’ wellbeing. Based on diary data from 87 remote workers across sectors including IT, finance and education, the research tracked participants’ experiences over a ten day period. Respondents reported their workload and wellbeing four times a day, allowing researchers to examine how work patterns and interruptions changed over time.

The research was conducted in collaboration with South-East Technological University, Trinity College Dublin, Universität Wuppertal and the University of Queensland. You can fine the study here: Are You in the Zone when Working from Home? How Remote Workers’ Daily Flow Experiences Promote Daily Functioning and Well-Being Through Reduced Work-Home Interruption Behaviors.  

The findings point to the role of what the researchers describe as cross-domain interruptions, where domestic activities intrude on work tasks. Even brief disruptions were found to make it harder for people to regain focus and maintain performance levels.

Participants also reported higher stress levels and a greater need for recovery on days when their work was interrupted by home life. These effects were accompanied by lower overall wellbeing and a diminished sense of work life balance.

The research suggests that the boundary between work and home becomes harder to manage in remote settings. This can make it more difficult for employees to switch off at the end of the day, challenging one of the commonly cited benefits of flexible working.

However, the study also highlights factors that may mitigate these effects. Workers who reported experiencing flow, a state of deep focus and immersion in tasks, were less affected by interruptions and showed better daily functioning.

In addition, the researchers found that simple interventions such as mindfulness at the start of the day may help improve focus and reduce the impact of distractions, particularly on days when sustained concentration is harder to achieve.