Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to remote work arrangements globally, fundamentally transforming traditional workplace structures and raising critical questions about employee productivity and the adoption of technology. This study examined the impact of remote work and the challenges associated with technology adoption on employee productivity in South Africa. A qualitative research approach employing interpretivism was adopted, with data collected through semi-structured interviews using snowball sampling. The study involved 15 employees working remotely, either full-time, in a hybrid capacity, or occasionally, and 5 managers from various industries. Findings revealed that the majority of participants (14 out of 15) reported enhanced productivity when working remotely, primarily attributed to the elimination of commuting time, reduced office distractions, and increased schedule flexibility. However, significant challenges emerged, including power outages, unreliable internet connectivity, environmental noise, and household distractions unique to the South African context. Technology adoption presented mixed experiences, with most participants expressing comfort with remote work platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, though the adequacy of organisational training and support varied considerably. Work-life balance outcomes were diverse: nine participants reported improvements, three experienced worsened balance, and three remained neutral. Managers demonstrated evolving perspectives, with consensus favouring hybrid work models that combine remote and office-based arrangements. The study concludes that while remote work offers substantial benefits for productivity and cost savings, its success depends critically on addressing infrastructure challenges, providing comprehensive organisational support, and developing policies that promote sustainable work-life integration. These findings contribute valuable insights specific to emerging economies and inform organisational strategies for implementing effective remote work arrangements in the post-pandemic era.