(Tele)Work and Care during Lockdown: Labour and Socio-Familial Restructuring in Times of COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19, and the lockdown requirement, altered our daily lives, including the restructuring of work and socio-familial organisation of millions of people. Through two studies, we explored how workers experienced this period. The first, qualitative study (N = 30) aimed to understand how workers lived through lockdown by identifying the key elements that shaped their experiences. Thematic content analysis revealed four emerging themes: (1) work and socio-health situation in which lockdown was experienced; (2) consequences on work organisation and resources available for change; (3) work–life balance management; and (4) psychosocial consequences and coping with the situation. The second, quantitative study (N = 332) explored the socio-health situation, new work organisation, work–life balance, and psychosocial consequences and coping strategies developed during this period, analysing participants’ differences in terms of gender, working modality (on-site or teleworking) and care responsibilities through ANOVA analysis. Results revealed the non-democratic nature of the pandemic, with differences and similarities according to gender, working modality and having or not having dependents. Results are discussed identifying areas that need to be addressed to ensure the well-being of workers.

The work-family interface and the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

“…On the one hand, some studies point out an overall work-family conflict growth during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before, whether using a longitudinal design ( Verweij et al, 2021 ), a two-wave cross-sectional design ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ), or by using retrospective perceptions ( Wang et al, 2020 ). On the other hand, teleworkers reported higher work-family conflict levels than commuters ( Niu et al, 2021 ; Sedaroglu, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ) or than workers with a hybrid arrangement ( Sedaroglu, 2021 ). In addition, findings show a link between work-family conflict magnification and enforced remote work ( Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Overall, paid workload strain was strongly incremented by the COVID-19 harsh imposed measures ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Lemos et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Adisa et al, 2021 ; Andrade and Fernandes, 2021 ; Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Asaari and Desa, 2021 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Çetin et al, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ; Stefanova et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ). Moreover, employees had to adapt to enforce remote work at a fast pace ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Barriga Medina et al, 2021 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ; Stefanova et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ). Additionally, unpaid workload also increased ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ; Stefanova et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Moreover, employees had to adapt to enforce remote work at a fast pace ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Barriga Medina et al, 2021 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ; Stefanova et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ). Additionally, unpaid workload also increased ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ; Leroy et al, 2021 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ; Stefanova et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ).…”

“…All the variables mentioned above seem to have altered the work-family interface, resulting in increased role strain ( Lemos et al, 2020 ; Adisa et al, 2021 ; Andrade and Fernandes, 2021 ; Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Asaari and Desa, 2021 ; Çetin et al, 2021 ; Çoban, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ). However, if all these strains have led to an intensification of work-family conflict compared to before the COVID-19 health crisis is somewhat unclear.…”

“…The couple studies that have measured work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict separately show that work-to-family conflict was higher than family-to-work conflict ( Barriga Medina et al, 2021 ; Soubelet-Fagoaga et al, 2021 ). Increased family-to-work conflict in the COVID-19 crisis can be accounted for by unpaid workload intensification combined with having scarce access to support from educational facilities, household services, enlarged family members, and other community members ( Aplin-Houtz et al, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ).…”