Abstract
Covid-19 has influenced how work takes place globally. The pandemic resulted in companies implementing work-from-home policies to curb the spread of the virus. To date, most of the emerging body of literature on working from home (WFH) has focused on the Global North. This dissertation, instead, examined the experiences of WFH in the South African context. Using a qualitative approach through online semi-structured interviews, this research examined the experiences of fourteen participants who are in heterosexual relationships, have children, reside in Gauteng, South Africa and worked from home or currently work from home.
The dissertation shows that WFH has both positive and negative implications for an individual’s life as well as the lives of their family members. However, it seems to suggest that the positive effects outweigh the adverse effects, resulting in increased work-life balance.
This dissertation shows that the ability to be able to work from home is dependent on numerous factors. Firstly, access to adequate infrastructure impacts one’s ability to work from home. Secondly, one’s family structure, meaning spouse support and extended family, aids effective WHF. Lastly, company support influences the experiences of those who WFH.
The study argues that Covid-19 has reduced the gender gap as men are now more actively involved in childcare responsibilities and household chores. In addition, it argues that the way in which we work has changed significantly as WFH policies and/or hybrid policies are becoming more common. Thus, emphasising that there is a change in the nature of work being conducted in the 21st century. Ultimately, I hope to encourage more studies, using what I have found in this study as a baseline to further investigate WFH and hybrid policies in the South African context.