Qualidade de vida no trabalho e home office: um estudo com servidores da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul

Abstract

This study addressed the issue of quality of work life (QWL) considering the context of compulsory home office. The motivation for choosing the research topic comes from the increase in the adoption of the compulsory home office due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The objective of the research was to analyze the impact of the forced home office on the quality of life of the workers of Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul. As for the methodological approach used, it is characterized as a qualitative research, classified as to the objectives as descriptive, and in relation to the collection procedures, this study is classified as a case study. Data collection occurred by means of semi-structured interviews. The interviewees were employees of Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS). The sampling was non-probabilistic, by convenience, and the theoretical saturation method was used. The data analysis was based on the content analysis of the speeches, which followed the guidelines described by Bardin (2016). The results found show the difficulty of most participants to adapt to the new routine, and this difficulty is enhanced when the family group is larger. It was identified that the structural conditions of the new work environment and the little help from the university have affected the quality of life and well-being of the participants. The interviewees emphasized aspects related to the negative emotions aroused, such as stress, anguish, anxiety, and irritability in this period of forced home office. It can be seen that the perception of happiness in this period has undergone changes. There is also a dissatisfaction with the course that the work has taken, considering the workers’ unpreparedness for the home office modality. However, positive aspects associated with the potential of this modality were evidenced, such as the possibility of working regardless of the geographic location, the increase in training, flexibility of schedules, financial savings, and reduction in commuting time. As for the challenges, we highlight the inadequate physical space, the difficulty in organizing the home routine, the increase in the workload, and the decrease in social relations with coworkers. The Covid-19 pandemic revealed the multiple journeys of women, since the schools are closed, mothers working from home accumulate work, house chores, and full-time child care. It was found that UFFS could be better helping its employees to perform their work activities, either through equipment and tools, or understanding and listening to the main distresses and difficulties encountered by the servers working from home. We suggest new studies with an approach directed towards the post-home office period, when the servers return to face-to-face activities. This way, it would be possible to compare which were the difficulties in the return and the adaptation of the individual.