Evaluation of the Remote Working Model from the Employees' Perspective: Qualitative Research

This study aims to examine how the remote work model is experienced by employees and its effects on work outcomes, motivation, work-life balance, organizational commitment, and social relationships from the employees' perspective. The study was designed using a phenomenological design within the framework of a qualitative research approach. The data required for the research were obtained from 56 employees with remote work experience, working in different sectors, through semi-structured interview forms. The data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that remote work offers important advantages for employees, such as time and location flexibility, autonomy, work-life balance, and individual productivity. However, the findings also reveal that the remote work model can lead to significant negative consequences such as social isolation, weakened organizational belonging, communication and coordination difficulties, digital fatigue, and blurred work-life boundaries. The research results show that remote work does not have a one-sided effect on employees; rather, it is experienced in different ways depending on individual characteristics, the nature of the work, and the level of organizational support.