Was COVID-19-related working from home (WFH) a chance for change? Gender-based experiences of parents

This study explores the qualitative aspects of a mixed-methods research project on managing work and family roles in pandemic-related working from home (WFH). It aims to examine how WFH influences family roles and family-work integration. Data was collected from 231 parents through an online survey responding to COVID-19 restrictions. The study introduces Intersectionality Theory in the WFH context, emphasizing how the intricate interplay of gender roles, work, and individual factors shapes the WFH preferences. The findings showed that 60.2% of participants were reluctant to continue WFH after the pandemic, highlighting WFH’s benefits and challenges for working parents. While it enabled some families to manage childcare better and reinforced family connections, persistent gender roles remained apparent. Even though men increased collaborative caregiving, women still shouldered the most family responsibilities. The study also highlighted that blurring boundaries between work and family domains resulted in significant role confusion, especially for women. Although WFH contributed to enhanced productivity for some, others struggled with productivity challenges, particularly in the educational field, due to the absence of in-person interaction. While WFH promoted a more flexible lifestyle, issues such as disorganization and social isolation were notable challenges. The results highlight the importance of implementing gender-neutral workplace practices, developing profession-specific WFH policies that accommodate individual preferences, and establishing clear boundaries between family and work to promote sustainable and equitable WFH environments.