The Dual Impact of Remote Work on Employee Productivity and Mental Health: A Generational Perspective
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Abstract
The shift to remote work has transformed workplace dynamics, significantly impacting both employee productivity and mental health. While remote work offers benefits such as flexibility, reduced commute stress, and improved work-life balance, it also presents challenges such as social isolation, digital fatigue, and difficulties in maintaining boundaries between work and personal life.
This review explores the effects of remote work across generations—Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—highlighting differences in adaptability, productivity, and psychological well-being. Drawing on studies from 2010 to 2024, this paper examines factors such as work engagement, burnout, communication barriers, and the role of technology in shaping remote work experiences.
Despite a growing body of research on remote work, few studies have examined how different generations experience and adapt to this shift. This review bridges that gap by synthesizing research on both productivity and mental health, offering a nuanced perspective on generational differences in remote work adaptation. The review concludes with practical implications for organizations, offering recommendations for balancing productivity and mental well-being in an evolving digital workplace.
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