Impact of workplace displacement during a natural disaster on computer performance metrics: A 2-year interrupted time series analysis.
Kamrie Sarnosky, Mark Benden, Garett Sansom and 2 others
PMID 35095008WHAT IT FOUND
Displaced employees logged more total hours but fewer active hours at the computer immediately after the hurricane.
Active time and typing speed recovered during the staged return to the office, though total hours remained elevated compared to baseline.
Key findings
01At the time of the hurricane, there was no change in total hours worked, but a significant decline in active hours worked at the computer.
02During complete displacement, active hours worked increased slightly, while keyboard use and words typed per hour increased significantly, and mouse use declined.
03Total hours worked declined once staged return to the physical workplace began, but active hours worked and other metrics largely recovered to baseline levels.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study only measures computer-based activity, which does not represent the entire workday or all productivity tasks. The sample is limited to white-collar employees in one specific industry and location, so results may not apply to other jobs or settings. The study did not assess the quality of work or employee well-being, only the quantity of computer interaction.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The work was supported by NIOSH, BP America Inc., and the Texas A&M Ergo Center.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret increased total hours logged in as increased productivity. The data shows that during displacement, employees were at their computers longer but actively working less, and the study did not measure the quality of output or non-computer work.