Study finds government employees experienced moderate stress and mild anxiety during the shift to remote work

22 Sep 2026

The transition to remote work has become common in workplaces, driven by technological advancements and the increased need for flexible work arrangements.

Our study examined how remote work affected stress and anxiety levels of government employees during the shift to online work. A total of 173 participants were recruited from PhilHealth offices in the National Capital Region to participate in an online self-administered survey. Inclusion criteria included being 20–60 years old, having a role dependent on face-to-face interactions, and having stable internet access. Exclusion criteria ruled out those unable to complete the online survey due to technological or cognitive barriers.

We found that most employees experienced moderate stress and mild anxiety. This means that while they were able to cope with the changes, the sudden move to remote work still brought challenges, such as adjusting to new technology, managing work-life balance, and reduced social interaction with colleagues. Interestingly, factors like age, gender, and income did not make a big difference in how stressed or anxious people felt; what mattered more were the actual work conditions and organizational demands. These results show that to better support employees, government offices need to provide clearer policies, stronger mental health support, and better tools for remote work. By addressing these needs, workplaces can help employees stay healthy, resilient, and productive, even in times of big changes.

This study is significant because it highlights the impact of remote work on the mental health of government employees. Findings showed that while the shift to remote work was manageable, it still created challenges that could affect well-being and productivity if not addressed. The study adds to the growing body of knowledge on workplace psychology, particularly in the public sector, and provides useful insights for developing future policies, programs, and interventions that promote resilience and employee well-being.

Authors: Myra D. Oruga (University of the Philippines Open University), Jessica Mae D. Viray-Inciong (University of the Philippines Open University), and Laili Rayuwahati (Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran)

Read the full paper: https://jkp.fkep.unpad.ac.id/index.php/jkp/article/view/2676

Image by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels

Study finds government employees experienced moderate stress and mild anxiety during the shift to remote work

The transition to remote work has become common in workplaces, driven by technological advancements and the increased need for flexible work arrangements.

Our study examined how remote work affected stress and anxiety levels of government employees during the shift to online work. A total of 173 participants were recruited from PhilHealth offices in the National Capital Region to participate in an online self-administered survey. Inclusion criteria included being 20–60 years old, having a role dependent on face-to-face interactions, and having stable internet access. Exclusion criteria ruled out those unable to complete the online survey due to technological or cognitive barriers.

We found that most employees experienced moderate stress and mild anxiety. This means that while they were able to cope with the changes, the sudden move to remote work still brought challenges, such as adjusting to new technology, managing work-life balance, and reduced social interaction with colleagues. Interestingly, factors like age, gender, and income did not make a big difference in how stressed or anxious people felt; what mattered more were the actual work conditions and organizational demands. These results show that to better support employees, government offices need to provide clearer policies, stronger mental health support, and better tools for remote work. By addressing these needs, workplaces can help employees stay healthy, resilient, and productive, even in times of big changes.

This study is significant because it highlights the impact of remote work on the mental health of government employees. Findings showed that while the shift to remote work was manageable, it still created challenges that could affect well-being and productivity if not addressed. The study adds to the growing body of knowledge on workplace psychology, particularly in the public sector, and provides useful insights for developing future policies, programs, and interventions that promote resilience and employee well-being.

Authors: Myra D. Oruga (University of the Philippines Open University), Jessica Mae D. Viray-Inciong (University of the Philippines Open University), and Laili Rayuwahati (Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran)

Read the full paper: https://jkp.fkep.unpad.ac.id/index.php/jkp/article/view/2676

Image by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels