COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS OF TELEWORK

Abstract

The growth of telework, especially in the home office modality, has expanded labor flexibility and facilitated the balance between professional and personal life; however, it has also intensified ergonomic challenges that affect health, well-being, and productivity. In this context, cognitive ergonomics plays a central role, since remote work tends to increase mental demands related to multitasking, continuous use of digital technologies, the need for constant attention, and decision-making in highly demanding intellectual environments. Furthermore, the absence of clear boundaries between working time and personal time contributes to the intensification of mental workload, increasing the risk of cognitive fatigue, chronic stress, and burnout syndrome, with impacts on concentration, working memory, and performance. The literature highlights that the systematic analysis of cognitive risks in telework can be strengthened by specific tools for measuring perceived mental workload, enabling the identification of critical overload points and guiding preventive interventions. Strategies such as adjustments in task distribution and intensity, the establishment of breaks, implementation of institutional support policies, and work reorganization are fundamental to reducing occupational stress and promoting greater efficiency. Thus, the structured application of cognitive ergonomics to telework simultaneously contributes to the preservation of mental health and to the improvement of work quality and productivity.