Flexibility and control: the impact of teleworking on job autonomy in Europe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22325/fes/res.2025.268Keywords:
teleworking, job autonomy, labor flexibility, digital control, horizontal communicationAbstract
This article analyzes the impact of telework on job autonomy in Europe, using data from the 2020–2022 European Social Survey. It examines how different modalities of telework—regular and hybrid—are related to workers’ perceptions of autonomy. It also explores how this relationship is mediated by key organizational dynamics, including digital managerial control and horizontal communication among coworkers. The results suggest that telework tends to increase perceived autonomy, particularly among lower-ranking employees, who report less direct supervision compared to traditional workplace settings. However, this increase is not uniform. Digital control mechanisms can restrict autonomy, while peer communication may serve as a compensatory resource. To this end, a multiple regression model is applied to identify the factors that shape perceived autonomy in telework contexts, integrating theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence.
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