Exploring the impact of remote working on parents at the Environment and Resources Authority during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study is to analyse and gain a deeper understanding of the effects remote work had on parents working at the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Eight professional officers with comparable work and family obligations participated in semi-structured interviews. The data findings were analysed using the Thematic Analysis approach by Braun and Clarke (2022). This study shows that the pandemic and working from home (WFH) had an impact on their personal and family aspects as well as on work-related issues. On the personal and family side, the parents in this study immediately noted that by eliminating the daily commute to and from work, they could enjoy greater flexibility and a better work-life balance. They used the saved time to be with their children, to rest, and/or to perform household chores. Despite saving time on commuting, some parents still found it difficult to maintain a balance between work and family because for some the family responsibilities increased when schools closed, whilst others had to help their elderly parents during this critical period. Other parents found it harder to disconnect from work when working from home and this led to more stress. On the positive side, since fathers were able to spend more time with their children, the father-child bonds during the pandemic seem to have been strengthened. Remote work also enabled the mothers to care for their children who normally were in childcare. This increased family bonds and alleviated parental concerns about contracting the virus. On the negative side, the pandemic and remote work also had various detrimental effects on the mental health of the parents with many feeling anxious and isolated. On the work side, whilst some parents experienced family disruptions due to the school closures and other family members being around, the participants overall noted fewer distractions when working from home, leading to better concentration and productivity.