Evaluation of the feasibility of a complex intervention for health promotion targeting employees working from home: results of the @home study

Abstract Aim Working from home (WFH) has become common practice. However, there is still a lack of evidence-based recommendations on how to design the workspace at home, and little is known about work-related health promotion measures that are feasible for employees WFH. Subject and methods This is a mixed-methods feasibility study for the development and evaluation of a complex intervention based on the framework of Skivington et al. (2021). In the initial qualitative research, challenges and needs of 11 managers and 23 employees were assessed. In the subsequent feasibility research with a pilot randomized controlled design, acceptance, fidelity of implementation, and preliminary effects of the intervention on satisfaction, health, and productivity were examined. Results Twelve relevant topics were identified in the qualitative research which informed the development of a complex intervention consisting of repeated workshops and a workbook tailored to the needs of managers and employees partly working from home. A total of 121 employees participated in the randomized controlled feasibility trial ( n = 72 intervention group, n = 49 waitlisted intervention control group). The intervention appeared feasible and acceptable. Nevertheless, no effect was found on employees’ health, job satisfaction, or productivity. Conclusion The intervention was acceptable to participants. Initial analyses of the impact of the intervention, however, did not yield any intervention effects. Future research should consider the differing needs of managers and employees and offer a modular thematic structure in interventions targeting employees WFH.