Corona Pandemic: Changed Working World

To support your work under currently changed conditions, we have compiled hints and tips for you. You can find updates, legal information, and more on Goethe University's dedicated Corona Pandemic website.

A comprehensive collection of articles, handouts as well as scientific studies and commentaries on the impact of Corona on Equal Opportunities can be found here (German).

"We care: Countering the reinforcement of structural disadvantages in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic - For a sustainable dismantling of structures of injustice" - The demand paper of the Decentralized Equal Opportunities Officers at Goethe University Frankfurt can be found here (German)

As a result of the Corona crisis, many employees at the university are now suddenly and very specifically faced with the question of how they can do their work well from home. They also want to maintain contact with their superiors and team. It's a challenging situation that has a strong impact on everyday work, but the question of home office options also arises more frequently and repeatedly in other circumstances. Family commitments or care activities, health restrictions or long commutes are just a few among many conceivable reasons why it can make sense to give employees the option of working (partly) from home. The employees themselves perceive this option very positively and as a sign of appreciation. Many employees perceive this as a sign of trust on the part of the employer that takes individual needs into account. Consequently, the possibility of working in a home office also increases job satisfaction.

Often, home office is accompanied by greater flexibility and autonomy, which employees also perceive as a major plus. In some cases, employees are able to work at home in a more concentrated manner and thus get more work done. It is also striking that employees in the home office have fewer days of absence than employees who work exclusively in the office.

It should be noted that employees who work in a home office suffer more frequently from psychological stress. They are more often exhausted, suffer from anger and annoyance, nervousness and irritability, listlessness, concentration problems and sleep disorders. One possible reason is that the boundary between job and private life is becoming blurred. The flexibility and autonomy described can also lead to employees postponing their working hours until the evening. In addition, there may be pressure to be constantly available.

  • The design of an ergonomic home office workplace offers many health benefits. In addition to the aspect of back health, the reduction of light irritations (e.g. by aligning the screen parallel to the incidence of light) is easy on the eyes.
  • Regular breaks make it possible to intersperse compensatory exercises into the day if necessary.
  • Movement is often neglected in the home office: this can be counteracted by varying the sitting position and alternating between sitting and standing activities.
  • If the opportunity exists, setting up a room as an office can make it easier for employees to separate themselves.
  • Even if the flexibility of the home office is perceived as a positive resource, clearly defined working hours and a structured workday help to maintain the boundaries between job and private life. Even in the home office, constant availability is not necessary.
  • A regular exchange with superiors and colleagues can counteract negative feelings.

To support your work under currently changed conditions, we have compiled hints and tips for you. You can find updates, legal information, and more on Goethe University's dedicated Corona Pandemic website.

A comprehensive collection of articles, handouts as well as scientific studies and commentaries on the impact of Corona on Equal Opportunities can be found here (German).

"We care: Countering the reinforcement of structural disadvantages in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic - For a sustainable dismantling of structures of injustice" - The demand paper of the Decentralized Equal Opportunities Officers at Goethe University Frankfurt can be found here (German)

As a result of the Corona crisis, many employees at the university are now suddenly and very specifically faced with the question of how they can do their work well from home. They also want to maintain contact with their superiors and team. It's a challenging situation that has a strong impact on everyday work, but the question of home office options also arises more frequently and repeatedly in other circumstances. Family commitments or care activities, health restrictions or long commutes are just a few among many conceivable reasons why it can make sense to give employees the option of working (partly) from home. The employees themselves perceive this option very positively and as a sign of appreciation. Many employees perceive this as a sign of trust on the part of the employer that takes individual needs into account. Consequently, the possibility of working in a home office also increases job satisfaction.

Often, home office is accompanied by greater flexibility and autonomy, which employees also perceive as a major plus. In some cases, employees are able to work at home in a more concentrated manner and thus get more work done. It is also striking that employees in the home office have fewer days of absence than employees who work exclusively in the office.

It should be noted that employees who work in a home office suffer more frequently from psychological stress. They are more often exhausted, suffer from anger and annoyance, nervousness and irritability, listlessness, concentration problems and sleep disorders. One possible reason is that the boundary between job and private life is becoming blurred. The flexibility and autonomy described can also lead to employees postponing their working hours until the evening. In addition, there may be pressure to be constantly available.

  • The design of an ergonomic home office workplace offers many health benefits. In addition to the aspect of back health, the reduction of light irritations (e.g. by aligning the screen parallel to the incidence of light) is easy on the eyes.
  • Regular breaks make it possible to intersperse compensatory exercises into the day if necessary.
  • Movement is often neglected in the home office: this can be counteracted by varying the sitting position and alternating between sitting and standing activities.
  • If the opportunity exists, setting up a room as an office can make it easier for employees to separate themselves.
  • Even if the flexibility of the home office is perceived as a positive resource, clearly defined working hours and a structured workday help to maintain the boundaries between job and private life. Even in the home office, constant availability is not necessary.
  • A regular exchange with superiors and colleagues can counteract negative feelings.
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Tips for educators

The impact of the Corona pandemic is affecting members of the university in different ways. The pressure to act and adapt to the situation quickly and efficiently is enormous. New challenges, which are unsettling, potentiate the already high demands on all members of Goethe University. The following guidelines will help you to take into account the diverse life situations of students in your digital teaching and to create an open and error-friendly atmosphere.

Didactic tips for more digital accessibility (German)

Guidelines for diversity-sensitive digital teaching (German)

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Tips for leadership in the digital space

The world of work has changed as a result of the Corona pandemic. Leading, controlling and managing employees who work from home, in the office or on a rotating basis requires a different management approach. Self-organization, transparent information and communication processes together with structured, digital document management are needed even more than before. These suggestions show you how to keep the diverse needs of your employees in mind and how to lead in a diversity-sensitive and gender-appropriate manner.

Gender-equitable and diversity-sensitive leadership culture - A guideline for executives and university administrators (German)

Executives home alone - tips for appreciative leadership in mobile working (German)

Leading in times of Corona - shaping cooperation in virtual teams (Uni Bonn) (German)

Kontakt

Visiting address

Goethe University Frankfurt a.M.
Equal Opportunities Office

SKW-Building
Rostocker Str. 2
60323 Frankfurt am Main

Tel.: +49 69 798-18698
Email: gleichstellungsbuero@uni-frankfurt.de


Postal address
Equal Opportunities Office
Goethe University Frankfurt a.M.
Postbox 227
60629 Frankfurt am Main