ENVIRONMENTAL COMFORT AND THE PANDEMIC: DESIGN CHALLENGES FOR HOME OFFICE IN BRAZIL

Abstract

The article discusses the social distancing measures implemented by the World Health Organization in response to the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic, ranging from flexible measures to lockdowns and curfews in some countries. It highlights the significant shift towards remote work, accelerated by national and local containment policies, particularly in Brazil, where remote work was previously uncommon. The study emphasizes the importance of ergonomics in adapting home environments for remote work amidst the pandemic. Through an exploratory survey, the research identifies key needs for adapting home environments caused by COVID-19 and provides ergonomic recommendations to improve home office conditions. Results show that a majority of respondents worked from home during the pandemic, with about 48% of households needing better comfort conditions for remote work. Ergonomic recommendations cover physical, cognitive/emotional, and organizational aspects to enhance home office conditions and user well-being. The study concludes by highlighting the variability in perceptions of home office environments based on housing type and occupational profile, underscoring the need to consider individual needs for promoting comfort and well-being of residents.

Keywords

• covid-19
• ergonomics
• human well-being
• home office