Impact of Workplace Displacement During a Natural Disaster on Computer Performance Metrics: A 2-year Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Background: Remote working may enhance company resiliency during natural disasters and other events causing workplace displacement.

Objective: We conducted an interrupted time series analysis to investigate the impact of Hurricane Harvey on employee computer use during and after a seven-month displacement period from the physical workplace.

Methods: Ergonomic software was used to collect information on employees' computer usage.

Results: Although there was no change in total computer use in response to the hurricane (β 0.25), active computer use significantly declined (β -0.90). All measured computer use behaviors returned to baseline prior to the complete return to the physical workspace.

Conclusion: Despite a transient period of reduced activity during closure of the workplace building, productivity returned to normal prior to the employees' return to a commercial workspace. The ability to work remotely may improve resiliency of employees to perform workplace tasks during events causing workplace displacement.