Telework and return-to-office policies as emerging public health issues

Background Telework has become a structural feature of modern work, particularly in knowledge-based occupations, while many employers are increasing mandatory onsite attendance. OBJECTIVE: To examine telework and return-to-office policies through a public health lens. Methods A targeted narrative review integrated recent reviews, population studies, policy sources, and theoretical literature on worker health, work organization, and telework. Results Work location may affect health through interacting time-use, psychosocial, behavioural, environmental, and socioeconomic pathways. Telework can increase autonomy, accessibility, and time otherwise spent commuting, but may also intensify digital demands, weaken boundaries, reduce social contact, and decrease light physical activity. In-person work can support social connection, mentoring, onboarding, access to resources, and activities requiring co-presence, although mandatory attendance also creates commuting and time burdens. Effects vary by job design, worker circumstances, and national context, and causal evidence remains limited. Conclusions Workplace-location policies should be flexible, equitable, and evaluated using health and organizational outcomes rather than physical presence alone.