Working from home and job satisfaction: the role of gender and personality traits

Abstract In this paper we investigate the effect of working-from home (WFH) on different components of employees’ job satisfaction, focusing on the role of gender and personality traits. Using longitudinal data from Italy, we estimate a difference-in-differences model, where treated individuals are those who transitioned to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings reveal that WFH exhibits a positive influence on job satisfaction, albeit exclusively among women, depending on personal characteristics. Specifically, this effect is stronger among women with high levels of openness and agreeableness, whereas those with high neuroticism levels tend to be less satisfied when working remotely. JEL classification: J28, J81, J16.