Reconstructing the Borders and the Definitions of Home and Work in the Context of Telecommuting in Poland

Abstract

This paper presents the results of intensive ethnographic research into a group of contemporary Polish teleworkers and their families. Recent media representations of home-located working activities show that the fusion of work and home in the same space may occur in the near future, but telework remains a new and challenging situation for many households. Working at home on the basis of telecommuting may not represent an opportunity but rather a major challenge, causing significant problems for and limitations on both family and work life. The ethnographic research describes newly established practices of everyday living in the different structures -'the daily puzzles of real people who live their work and households lives' (DeVault, 1999: 52). Through the use of a mix of qualitative methods (in pair interviews, photography and diaries) research methodology is developed to investigate the household as a socio-spatial situation. Accordingly, the article includes: a) a discussion of the theoretical issues related to telecommuting and work-life balance, b) an overview of the relevant literature, c) a description of the methodology of the study, and d) some conclusions about the issue of constructing and overcoming borders and the definitions of home and work in the context of telecommuting in Poland in the context of the establishment of work-life balance.

Pengaruh Penerapan Work From Home Dan E-Learning Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Melalui Motivasi Sebagai Variabel Intervening Pada Lingkup Kanwil Ditjen Perbendaharaan Provinsi Sumatera Selatan

“…Lapierre et al (2016), pelaksanaan work from home yang dilaksanakan oleh pekerja yang memiliki tingkat efikasi lemah akan beresiko menciptakan konflik antara bekerja dan keluarga. Gadecki et al(2016), pekerjaan dan tugas yang dilakukan secara jarak jauh dalam hal ini rumah berarti mengalami dua dunia (privat dan publik, keluarga dan pekerjaan) secara bersamaan dalam ruang terbatas.Menurut Mustajab et al (2020), penerapan work from home dapat menimbulkan dampak positif :1) Menciptakan work life balance; 2)Fleksibilitas waktu dan tempat bekerja; 3) Menghemat waktu; 4) Menciptakan waktu yang berkualitas; 5)Kenyamanan dalam bekerja. Sementara dampak negatif dari work from home :1) Penambahan biaya; 2) Pekerjaan rumah dan kantor dikerjakan bersamaan; 3)Penurunan motivasi; 4) Gangguan; 5) Komunikasi yang terbatas.…”

Praca zdalna w dobie pandemii i związane z nią wyzwania dla pracowników

“…Na brak którejkolwiek z tych przeszkód mogły liczyć niemal wyłącznie osoby mieszkające samotnie lub w odpowiednio dużym lokalu w spokojnej okolicy, nieposiadające rodziny i zwierząt domowych. Większość pracowników w okresie pandemii doświadczyła jednak przynajmniej raz podczas pracy zdalnej utrudnień w postaci kłócących się sąsiadów, odgłosów remontu, płaczu niemowląt, szczekania psów, szumu w tle na skutek lekcji uczniów również odbywających zdalne nauczanie 31 . Przykłady można mnożyć, a każdy z nich mógł stanowić dla pracownika nie tylko element utrudniający pracę, lecz także przejaw przemieszania sfery zawodowej i prywatnej 32 .…”

How to Study Infrastructure: Methodological Remarks in the Context of the Pandemic and its Impact on City Design

“…The work of identifying and seeking solutions to the various problems caused by the crisis also became visible: at the level of the globe, countries, cities, neighborhoods or buildings, and even specific offices. Even at the level of individual households, it became apparent how much it takes to work remotely (Gądecki et al, 2017). Some dominant narratives about modernity and the risks it poses have also been disrupted.…”

“…Someone has to take charge of childcare, fetching, and creating conditions so that others can participate in teleconferences and focus on professional tasks. It also requires arranging the physical space in the household accordingly (Gądecki et al, 2017).…”