Relationship Between the Transition to Remote Work and Job Satisfaction

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive research study was to explore how employees who had not worked remotely before, and who began remote jobs, describe the benefits and challenges they experienced during their transition to remote work. Using Maslow’s (1943) hierarchy of needs as the theoretical framework, 10 participants were interviewed regarding the benefits and challenges associated with remote work. Results revealed that the benefits of transitioning to remote work largely increased job satisfaction and job performance. These benefits included limited or no commuting to work, enhanced flexibility in work schedules, reduced or less anxiety during work, and increased family connection. Other benefits of remote work include a high preference for working from home, a quieter workspace, and less effort put into appearance because of working away from a formal office space. In addition to benefits, the research findings also reveal some challenges associated with remote work, including less social connection among employees, high anxiety over evaluation by management, and difficulty in maintaining work-life balance. These findings can assist organizational managers in making appropriate managerial decisions that could improve the job satisfaction and productivity of employees working remotely, contributing to increased job performance.