Evaluation of hand-arm vibration syndrome owing to nerve conduction study and cumulative exposure index -A 2.5-year cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to clarify the relationship between peripheral neuropathy in hand-arm vibration syndrome and cumulative exposure index. METHODS: 68 participants without symptoms were surveyed. The participants were divided into three groups based on past and current vibration exposure (VE). RESULTS: Comparison among groups according to past VE showed that the median and ulnar sensory nerve conduction velocities and median sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude were significantly lower in past high and low exposure groups than in the past non-exposure group. Comparison among groups according to current VE showed that the median and ulnar SNAP amplitudes were significantly lower in the current high exposure group than in the current low or non-exposure group. CONCLUSIONS: Vibration tool handlers have potential peripheral nerve lesions at a certain stage without subjective symptoms of the finger.

Effects of the Need for Support From the Workplace and Resilience on Psychological Distress in Japanese Employees: A 1-Year Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: This study examines workplace support and resilience's influence on psychological distress in Japanese employees. METHOD: A 1-year prospective online cohort study was conducted. Logistic regression analyzed prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for psychological distress. Participants were grouped based on their support and resilience levels. RESULTS: Prevalence odds ratios for psychological distress followed this pattern for low and high resilience groups: "necessary but not received" (prevalence odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for low/high resilience: 9.71, 6.88-13.69 and 4.72, 2.97-7.52, respectively), "received" (6.65, 4.29-10.29 and 2.27, 1.21-4.25), and "not necessary" (4.43, 3.30-5.95 and reference). Workplace support had a stronger impact on psychological distress in low-resilience employees. CONCLUSIONS: We provided evidence that the combination of the need for support from the workplace and resilience affects psychological distress in employees.

Perceived Workplace Health Support and Severe Psychological Distress Among Japanese Workers: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the extent to which the intensity of perceived workplace health support (PWHS) affected the incidence of psychological distress. METHODS: At the baseline, data from 4540 eligible participants throughout Japan were obtained using an Internet survey. Among them, 2362 participants who could be followed up 1 year after the initial study were included in the analysis. The intensity of PWHS was determined using an original questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. RESULTS: Participants with high PWHS were less likely to experience severe psychological distress than those with low PWHS even after adjusting for confounding factors including work-related factors. The incidence of severe psychological distress decreased as the intensity of PWHS increased. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced PWHS reduced psychological distress and positively affected workers' mental health.

Evaluation of workplace infection prevention and control measures for COVID-19: A prospective cohort study in Japan.

Background: Encouraging the implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures has been necessary to prevent workplace infections caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the effectiveness of these measures in reducing infections has not been thoroughly evaluated. We evaluated employees' COVID-19 infection rates in relation to the implementation of IPC measures at their workplaces to identify effective workplace measures. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between December 2020 and December 2021 using Internet-based self-assessment questionnaires, with 11,982 participants included from the baseline. To estimate whether implementing workplace IPC measures was associated with COVID-19 incidence rates among participants, we estimated multivariate-adjusted relative risk (RR) using a log-binomial model. Results: After adjusting for sex, age, education, household members, occupation-related factors, and personal preventive behaviors, requesting ill employees to refrain from going to work showed significantly lower COVID-19 infection rates than not requesting it (RR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.91, p = 0.019). Conclusions: Employees restricted from reporting to work when ill had significantly lower COVID-19 infection rates than those who did not follow this measure. The results indicated that not coming to work when ill was effective in reducing COVID-19 infections at the workplace. We suggest that companies proactively adopt this policy and encourage their employees to comply with it.

[Evaluation of self-administered questionnaire items used in regular health check-ups at the workplace by occupational health professionals].

OBJECTIVE: Currently, there is no standardized questionnaire for regular workplace health check-ups in Japan. We considered that there are several issues associated with this, including the possibility that the questionnaire items are not useful for occupational health staff. Therefore, our study aimed to examine the questionnaire items required in regular health check-ups from the occupational health practice perspective and prepare a draft of a standardized medical questionnaire. The ultimate goal is to promote integrated management and utilization of the health-related information obtained from the questionnaire in the future. METHODS: This non-interventional study, conducted from February 2018 to November 2020, examined the questionnaire items for the regular health check-up using the Delphi method. Twenty-two occupational health professionals, including occupational physicians and nurses with qualifications in occupational health, participated in the study. The self-administered questionnaires used by contracted industrial health associations across Japan were obtained, and items from all questionnaires were extracted. A survey questionnaire was then developed, consisting of eight primary headings: "personal attributes," "work-related information and work history," "life history and subjective symptoms," "current and past medical history," "family history," and "pregnancy status," with a total of 589 items. Participants were asked to rate the degree of necessity for each item, excluding the items in "personal attributes" and "pregnancy status." The items with low ratings were excluded, and the remaining items were redesigned and distributed to the participants with the tabulated results. This process was repeated three times to allow the participants to rate the necessity of the items consistently. The questionnaire items with a consensus ratio exceeding 70% on the third try were adopted. The final adopted questionnaire items were again reviewed by the participants and agreed upon by all. RESULTS: A total of 85 items were adopted under five primary headings, including 12 items for "work-related information and work history," 11 for "life history," 22 for "subjective symptoms," 37 for "current medical history," and three for "past medical history." CONCLUSION: The items for the regular health check-up were finally adopted under the primary headings of "work-related information and work history," "subjective symptoms," and "current medical history." We assumed that these items provide an overview of health information that can be utilized in occupational health practice. Based on our findings, there is a need to develop a standardized questionnaire for regular health check-ups and to consider the management and utilization of workers' health information.

Workplace infection control measures and romantic activities of workers during COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study in Japan.

Objective: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, non-married people are at high risk of loneliness. With social interactions restricted, it is important for non-married people to acquire a new romantic partner for their mental health and quality of life. We hypothesized that infection control efforts in the workplace influence people's social interactions, including romantic activities. Methods: We conducted an internet-based prospective cohort study from December 2020 (baseline) to December 2021, using self-administered questionnaires. Briefly, 27,036 workers completed the questionnaires at baseline, and when followed up after 1 year, 18,560 (68.7%) participated. A total of 6,486 non-married individuals with no romantic relationship at baseline were included in the analysis. At baseline they were asked about the implementation of infection control measures in the workplace, and at follow-up they were asked about activities they performed with a view to romantic relationships during the period from baseline to follow-up. Results: Compared to workers in workplaces with no infection control measures, the odds ratio (OR) associated with romance-related activities for those in workplaces with seven or more infection control measures was 1.90 (95% CI: 1.45-2.48, p < 0.001), and the OR associated with having a new romantic partner was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.20-2.66, p = 0.004). Discussion: Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of infection control measures in the workplace and the expressed satisfaction with those measures promoted romantic relationships among non-married, single individuals.

Job stress and work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic among Japanese workers: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: The work style reforms and the coronavirus disease pandemic in Japan have prompted efforts toward teleworking, mainly work from home (WFH). This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the impact of WFH on job stress among Japanese workers. Methods: This online survey-based prospective cohort study was conducted from December 2020 (baseline) to December 2021 (1-year follow-up) using self-administered questionnaires. At baseline, 27,036 participants completed the questionnaires, whereas 18,560 (68.7%) participated in the 1-year follow-up. After excluding the 11,604 participants who left or changed workplaces within 1 year or who were physical laborers and hospitality workers, data from 6,956 participants were analyzed. We asked participants about WFH frequency at baseline and conducted a follow-up using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ). Participants were divided into four groups according to WFH frequency. The odds ratios of poor states of the association of the four subscales (job demand, job control, supervisor support, and coworker support) determined by the BJSQ with WFH frequency were estimated using a multilevel logistic model. Results: In both the gender-age adjusted and multivariate models, compared to the non-WFH group, the medium and low WFH groups were less likely to have poor job control, whereas the high WFH group were likely to have similar levels as the non-WFH group. In both models, compared to non-WFH participants, the high WFH group were more likely to have poor supervisor and coworker support. Conclusions: High-frequency WFH requires further attention, because it may increase job stress by exacerbating deficits of social support in the workplace. Medium- and low-frequency WFH workers were more likely to have satisfactory job control; therefore, limiting WFH to three or fewer days per week may lead to better job stress management.

Association Between Types of Chronic Disease and Receiving Workplace Accommodations: A Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese Workers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the type of chronic disease and receiving workplace accommodations. METHODS: This online cross-sectional study analyzed a self-reported questionnaire administered in Japan. A total of 6775 full-time workers who reported needing work accommodations were included. RESULTS: Workplace accommodations were more likely to be provided for workers with cancer, mental illness, and benign gynecological disorders than for workers with no disease under treatment. In contrast, workplace accommodations were less likely for workers with low back pain and skin diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving workplace accommodations depends on the type of chronic disease. Chronic diseases for which workers frequently receive workplace accommodations may be those for which support is encouraged by law. It is necessary to support workers with chronic diseases that do not receive adequate workplace accommodations.

Relationship among work-treatment balance, job stress, and work engagement in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

There is a drive to support workers in Japan undergoing medical treatment who wish to continue working, known as the work-treatment balance. This support for the work-treatment balance is expected to boost their mental health. This study examines the relationship among the work-treatment balance, job stress, and work engagement. This study was conducted in December 2020 in Japan, with 27,036 participants. We divided the participants into three groups by the receipt state of support for work-treatment balance: control group (do not need support), unsupported group, and supported group. The scores on the parameters of the job content questionnaire and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3) were compared among groups using a multilevel regression with age-sex or multivariate-adjusted models. In the two models, the job control score of the unsupported group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The two social support scores of the supported group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The scores on the UWES-3 of the unsupported group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The support of work-treatment balance for workers could have a positive impact on their mental health.

Comparison of respiratory protection during exercise tasks between different methods of wearing replaceable particulate respirators and powered air-purifying respirators.

This study evaluated the differences in respiratory protection between replaceable particulate respirators (RPRs) and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) based on different wearing methods during exercise tasks. Ten participants wore RPRs and PAPRs alternately in ways comparable to those adopted by workers in actual workplaces. We measured the fit factor of the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) during exercise tasks for each wearing variation. The exercise load was set to 80W using an ergometer. The exercise tasks comprised five actions described in the Japan Industrial Standard T8150 in 2018. We compared the results with experimental data obtained at rest in our previous studies. The fit factor of RPRs during exercise was significantly lower than (p<0.001) and about half that measured at rest, indicating inadequate respiratory protection. On the other hand, the fit factor of PAPRs during exercise tasks was also significantly lower than (p<0.001) and about half that at rest, but respiratory protection was maintained. This suggests that the protection provided by PAPRs is independent of wearing method during exercise. PAPRs may thus be better than RPRs for workers who have to wear RPE inappropriately due to health problems.

Effect of COVID-19 infection related experiences on social behaviors when a state of emergency is declared: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Restricting the movement of the public to gathering places and limiting close physical contact are effective measures against COVID-19 infection. In Japan, states of emergency have been declared in specific prefectures to reduce public movement and control COVID-19 transmission. We investigated how COVID-19 infection related experiences including people with a history of infection, people with a history of close contact, and people whose acquaintances have been infected, affected self-restraint from social behaviors during the second state of emergency in Japan. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among workers aged 20-65 years using data from an internet survey. The baseline survey was conducted on December 22-25, 2020, and a follow-up survey was on February 18-19, 2021. There were 19,051 participants who completed both surveys and were included in the final analysis. We identified eight social behaviors: (1) eating out (4 people or fewer); (2) eating out (5 people or more); (3) gathering with friends and colleagues; (4) day trip; (5) overnight trip (excluding visiting home); (6) visiting home; (7) shopping for daily necessities; and (8) shopping for other than daily necessities. We set self-restraint regarding each social behavior after the second state of emergency was declared in January 2021 as the dependent variable, and COVID-19 infection related experiences as independent variables. Odds ratios were estimated using multilevel logistic regression analyses nested in the prefecture of residence. RESULTS: Significant differences by COVID-19 infection related experiences were identified: compared to people without COVID-19 related experiences, people with a history of COVID-19 were less likely self-restraint from most social behaviors. People whose acquaintance had been diagnosed with COVID-19 were significantly more likely to refrain from most social behaviors. There was no significant difference in any social behaviors for people with a history of close contact only. CONCLUSION: To maximize the effect of a state of emergency, health authorities should disseminate information for each person in the target population, taking into account potential differences related to the infection related experiences.

Job stress and loneliness among desk workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: focus on remote working.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported an increase in loneliness since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but there are few data on the relationship between job stress and loneliness. This study aimed to assess the relationship between job stress and loneliness among desk workers, with a focus on the impact of remote working. METHODS: This study was part of the Collaborative Online Research on the Novel-coronavirus and Work (CORoNaWork) project in Japan. We extracted data from 13,468 workers who indicated that they were doing desk work. Loneliness was assessed using a single question and job stress was valuated using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Multiple logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: Participants who worked remotely 4 or more days per week were marginally more likely to report feeling lonely compared with those who did not work remotely (adjusted odds ratio = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.99-5.84, P = 0.066). Remote working did not explain the interaction between JCQ scale scores and loneliness. Among remote workers, the level of support provided by co-workers and supervisors was strongly associated with feelings of loneliness as well as non-remote workers (co-worker support: AOR = 4.06, 95% CI: 2.82-5.84, P < 0.001; supervisor support: AOR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.79-3.47, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: To reduce loneliness and the risk of associated mental health problems, high-frequency remote workers should interact with supervisors and co-workers using the information and communication technology developed for this purpose.

Workplace infection prevention control measures and work engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic among Japanese workers: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to assess the effect of appropriate workplace IPC measures on employees' work engagement. It could be important to note how workplace infection prevention control (IPC) measures for COVID-19 contribute to positive mental health among workers. We hypothesized that if workplace IPC measures are adequately implemented, they would have a positive effect on employees' work engagement. METHODS: We conducted an internet-based prospective cohort study from December 2020 (baseline) to December 2021 (follow-up after 1 year) using self-administered questionnaires. At baseline, 27036 workers completed the questionnaires, while 18 560 (68.7%) participated in the one-year follow-up. After excluding the 6578 participants who changed jobs or retired during the survey period, or telecommuted more than 4 days per week, 11 982 participants were analyzed. We asked participants about the implementation of workplace IPC measures at baseline and conducted a follow-up using a nine-item version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). RESULTS: Four groups were created according to the number of workplace IPC measures implemented. The mean (SD) UWES-9 score of the "0-2" group was the lowest at 18.3 (13.2), while that of the "8" group was the highest at 22.6 (12.6). The scores of the "3-5," "6-7," and "8" groups were significantly higher than that of the "0-2" group (all, p < .001). The p trend of the four groups was also significant (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Promoting workplace IPC measures improves workers' work engagement, and a dose-response relationship exists between workplace IPC measures and work engagement.

Study Protocol and Preliminary Results of the Impact of Occupational Health Workers' Activities on Their Health: Nationwide Prospective Internet-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, work environments and systems, as well as occupational health measures or activities that fall within our research field, are constantly changing. It is necessary to assess the impact of these changes on the physical and mental health of workers. OBJECTIVE: To assess how occupational health measures affect the health of workers, we conducted a baseline, longitudinal internet-based survey among Japanese workers in October 2021 and additionally scheduled 2 follow-up surveys for 2022 and 2023. We describe the details of the protocol of the work systems and health internet research (WSHIR) study, provide an overview of the results of the baseline survey, and discuss the study procedures and data used in the study. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted online among internet monitors. The baseline survey was conducted from October 1 to 7, 2021. This study targeted those who were working and between the ages of 20 and 69 years. A total of 5111 respondents who passed the screening survey and proceeded to the main survey were enrolled according to collection units organized by sex and age. For the screening and main surveys, the questionnaire consisted of 9 and 33 items with 9 and 55 questions, respectively. Consistency and completeness checks were performed after the questionnaires were submitted. We compared basic characteristics, such as sex, age group, educational background, and marital status, among all participants, including those who withdrew from the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 5111 initial survey respondents, 571 (11.2%) were considered fraudulent. The data of the remaining 4540 (88.8%) participants (2273, 50.1%, males; 2267, 49.9%, females) included in the analysis were well balanced across participant sex and age groups according to the sampling plan because there was no significant difference by sex and age group using the chi-square test for checking the distribution bias of the participants (P=.84). Compared to female participants, male participants tended to be more likely to be managers and supervisors (323, 14.2%, males; 86, 3.8%, females), to work in a secondary industry (742, 32.6%, males; 357, 15.7%, females), and to have an annual income of ≥5 million yen (976, 42.9%, males; 429, 18.9%, females). For the evaluation of a psychological indicator, Kessler 6 (K6) score, by sex and age group, the characteristics of the score distribution of the included participants were similar to those reported in previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a protocol and overview of the results of an internet-based occupational health survey of workers. Using the results of this survey, we hope to evaluate the changes in occupational health activities and their impact on workers' health while controlling for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of Working from Home on the Association between Job Demands and Psychological Distress.

Limited information is available regarding the association between workplace psychosocial factors and general mental health status among workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study examined how working from home affected the association between job demands and psychological distress (PD). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in December 2020 (N = 27,036). The dependent variable (PD) was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Job demands were assessed using the Job Content Questionnaire. Working from home was determined by participants' responses to the question, "Do you currently work from home?" We used a two-level regression analysis adjusted for prefecture. Each individual-level variable at Level 1 was nested into each prefecture at Level 2, stratified by working from home or not. Overall, 21.3% of participants worked from home. The interaction between working from home and job demands was significant. Job demands were positively associated with PD. The stratified analysis indicated that the associations were weaker among employees who worked from home compared with those among employees who did not. The association between job demands and PD may be weakened by working from home.

Sociodemographic factors and self-restraint from social behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

The control of human flow has led to better control of COVID-19 infections. Japan's state of emergency, unlike other countries, is not legally binding but is rather a request for individual self-restraint; thus, factors must be identified that do not respond to self-restraint, and countermeasures considered for those factors to enhance its efficacy. We examined the relationship between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint toward social behaviors during a pandemic in Japan. This cross-sectional study used data for February 18-19, 2021, obtained from an internet survey; 19,560 participants aged 20-65 were included in the analysis. We identified five relevant behaviors: (1) taking a day trip; (2) eating out with five people or more; (3) gathering with friends and colleagues; (4) shopping for other than daily necessities; (5) shopping for daily necessities. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint for each of the behaviors. Results showed that for behaviors other than shopping for daily necessities, women, those aged 60-65, married people, highly educated people, high-income earners, desk workers and those who mainly work with interpersonal communication, and those with underlying disease reported more self-restraint. Older people had less self-restraint than younger people toward shopping for daily necessities; an underlying disease had no effect on the identified behavior. Specialized interventions for these groups that include recommendations for greater self-restraint may improve the efficacy of the implementing measures that request self-restraint.

Association of Preference and Frequency of Teleworking with Work Functioning Impairment: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese Full-Time Employees.

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether teleworking preference and frequency were associated with work functioning impairment. METHODS: This online cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among 27,036 full-time Japanese workers. The Work Functioning Impairment Scale was used to measure work functioning impairment, and we performed multilevel logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Higher odds ratios for work functioning impairment were observed among employees who preferred to telework compared with those who preferred working in the workplace. A similar trend was observed among employees who teleworked four or more days a week compared with those who almost never teleworked. When teleworking preference and frequency were adjusted, only teleworking preference was associated with work functioning impairment. CONCLUSIONS: A preference for teleworking was associated with work functioning impairment and one factor that increased the teleworking frequency.

Application of tight-fitting half-facepiece breath-response powered air-purifying respirator for internal body cooling in occupational environment.

In dust-generating scenarios in occupational environments, it is important to take measures to prevent not only pneumoconiosis, but also heatstroke. The aim of this study was to verify whether using a tight-fitting half-facepiece breath-response powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) in combination with a self-produced cooling device could abate the deep body temperature while performing activities. We conducted a crossover study involving 10 subjects. The subjects were subjected to three conditions: wearing a PAPR equipped with a cooling device, PAPR, or a replaceable particulate respirator. During the experiment, the rectal temperature of the subjects was measured, along with the temperature near the PAPR inlet in container with the cooling device when the PAPR equipped with the cooling device was worn. The subjects rested in a cold chamber set at a dry-bulb temperature of 28°C and relative humidity of 45% for 20 min. Then, they moved to a hot chamber set to a dry-bulb temperature of 36°C (with the same relative humidity) in 5 min and exercised on a cycle ergometer for 30 min. After that, the subjects moved to the cold chamber for 5 min and rested for 20 min. Notably, the air inhaled by the subjects wearing PAPR equipped with the cooling device was approximately 10°C cooler than the ambient air. Furthermore, 35 min after the initiation of the experiment (after the middle of the exercise period), the rectal temperature of the participants wearing the PAPR equipped with the cooling device was lower than of those wearing PAPR or replaceable particulate respirators (p <0.05). Thus, we could deduce that the self-produced cooling device was useful in abating deep body temperature. PAPR is useful for its potential applications in hot occupational environments and can save lives in working environments where heat stress can result in major medical complications.

Low back pain and telecommuting in Japan: Influence of work environment quality.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between frequency of working from home and low back pain (LBP), considering the quality of work environment. METHODS: The study was based on a cross-sectional internet-based survey. Of 33 302 respondents, data from 12 774 desk workers were retained for analysis. We used a 0-10 numerical rating scale to assess LBP. Work environment was assessed using five subjective questions. Mixed-effects logistic regression nested by city level was used to analyze the relationship between frequency of working from home and LBP, stratified by work environment condition. RESULTS: The prevalence of LBP was 21.0%. Among those reporting a poor work environment, as opposed to almost never working from home, the multivariate odds ratio (OR) of LBP were as follows: working from home less than 1 day per week: OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.89-1.76, p = .190; 2-3 days per week: OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.16-2.16, p = .004; and 4 or more days per week: OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.38-2.40, p < .001. By contrast, among those reporting a good work environment, the OR of LBP did not increase as the frequency of working from home increased. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between LBP and frequency of working from home was found to vary with the quality of the work environment; more specifically, LBP was associated with frequency of teleworking in a poor work environment. This study suggests that employers should give more support to their employees in promoting a good work environment to prevent LBP. (Words: 240/250).

Job stress among workers who telecommute during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The work system reform and the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan have prompted efforts toward telecommuting in Japan. However, only a few studies have investigated the stress and health effects of telecommuting. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between telecommuting and job stress among Japanese workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. In December 2020, during the "third wave" of the COVID-19 pandemic, an Internet-based nationwide health survey of 33 087 Japanese workers (The Collaborative Online Research on Novel-coronavirus and Work, CORoNaWork study) was conducted. Data of 27 036 individuals were included after excluding 6051 invalid responses. The authors analyzed a sample of 13 468 office workers from this database. The participants were classified into 4 groups according to their telecommuting frequency, while comparing scores on the subscale of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and subjective job stress between the high-frequency, medium-frequency, low-frequency, and non-telecommuters groups. A linear mixed model and an ordinal logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: A significant difference in the job control scores of the JCQ among the 4 groups was found, after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. The high-frequency telecommuters group had the highest job control score. Further, after adjusting for multiple confounding factors, the subjective job stress scores of the high- and medium-frequency telecommuters groups were significantly lower than those of the non-telecommuters group. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that high-frequency telecommuting was associated with high job control and low subjective job stress. The widespread adoption of telecommuting as a countermeasure to the public health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may also have a positive impact on job stress. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(3):339-51.