Telework and women: perceptions of work and family life balance

Abstract

This research discusses the satisfaction and conciliation of professional and family life of women who work in the General Management of Ports, Airports, Borders, and Customs Areas (GGPAF) of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). We chose Anvisa for its pioneering role in implementing teleworking, adopted at the institution in 2016. It is a health-related institution, and a high proportion of women work remotely in the Management department - the focus point of the study. Although women working at Anvisa accumulated roles and domestic responsibilities during the pandemic, they opted for the potential of telework. The methodology that underpins the results presented in this article can be characterized as a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews. During the analysis, five key categories gained substantial attention: quality of life, family life, productivity and motivation, personal organization, and perception of satisfaction with telework. After transcribing the interviews, we analyzed the data using content analysis. Results showed that women are satisfied with teleworking and perceive benefits and gains in quality of life with teleworking despite the disadvantages of social distancing and the accumulation of household tasks and obligations. The study offers a significant contribution to building the field of knowledge about teleworking before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the research may help to formulate people management policies that consider the importance of women in the world of work, focusing on the work and family life balance.