How flexible work arrangements and workplace factors influence employee health and well-being: What we know and what we do not know

The global coronavirus pandemic introduced a rapid and widespread expansion of telework, a trend that has continued to accelerate in the post-pandemic era. Although teleworking offers notable advantages and is appealing to many workers, it simultaneously raises questions regarding working conditions and employee health and well-being. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), we synthesize available research on the relationship between teleworking, workplace factors, and employee well-being, and suggest directions for further research. The findings indicate that the relationship between teleworking and well-being is inherently complex: teleworking may generate both positive and negative outcomes, with organizational factors exerting a significant influence on these effects. Six avenues for prospective research are outlined: (1) individual needs and leadership perspectives, (2) health and safety systems for teleworking, (3) sickness presence and workaholism, (4) mandatory or self-selected telework, (5) psychosomatic factors and ergonomics, and (6) moderators of telework and employee outcomes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.