Turned On or Off by Telework? Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Paul F. Franco; Michelle L. D’Abundo

doi:10.29333/ajqr/14013

Paul F. Franco ¹ ^* , Michelle L. D’Abundo ²

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 8, Issue 1, pp. 1-21

https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/14013

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Abstract

Social distancing requirements resulted in many people working from home in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The topic of working from home was often discussed in the media and online during the pandemic, but little was known about how quality of life (QOL) and remote working interfaced. The purpose of this study was to describe QOL while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel topic, unique methodological approach of the General Online Qualitative Study (D’Abundo & Franco, 2022a), and the strategic Social Distancing Sampling (D’Abundo & Franco, 2022c) resulted in significant participation throughout the world (n = 709). The United Kingdom subset of participants (n = 234) is the focus of this article. This big qual, large qualitative study (n >100) included the principal investigator-developed, open-ended, online questionnaire entitled the “Quality of Life Home Workplace Questionnaire (QOLHWQ)” and demographic questions. Data were collected peak-pandemic from July to September 2020. Most participants cited increased QOL due to having more time with family/kids/partners/pets, a more comfortable work environment while being at home, and less commuting to work. The most cited issue associated with negative QOL was social isolation. As restrictions have been lifted and public health emergency declarations have been terminated during the post-peak era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential for future public health emergencies requiring social distancing still exists. To promote QOL and work-life balance for employees working remotely in the United Kingdom, stakeholders could develop social support networks and create effective planning initiatives to prevent social isolation and maximize the benefits of remote working experiences for both employees and organizations.

Keywords: qualitative research, quality of life, remote work, telework, United Kingdom, work from home.

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Citation

Franco, P. F., & D’Abundo, M. L. (2024). Turned On or Off by Telework? Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 8(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/14013

Franco, P. F., and D’Abundo, M. L. (2024). Turned On or Off by Telework? Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 8(1), pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/14013

Franco PF, D’Abundo ML. Turned On or Off by Telework? Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2024;8(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/14013

Franco, Paul F., and Michelle L. D’Abundo. "Turned On or Off by Telework? Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2024 8 no. 1 (2024): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/14013

Franco, Paul F. et al. "Turned On or Off by Telework? Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 8, no. 1, 2024, pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/14013

Franco PF, D’Abundo ML. Turned On or Off by Telework? Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2024;8(1):1-21. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/14013