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.

摘要 本研究探讨巴西国家卫生监督局（National Health Surveillance Agency，Anvisa）下属港口、机场、边境与海关总署（General Management of Ports, Airports, Borders, and Customs Areas，GGPAF）在职女性的职业与家庭生活满意度及平衡状况。本研究选取Anvisa作为研究对象，缘于其于2016年在机构内部率先推行远程办公（teleworking）的先驱性实践。该机构为健康相关事业单位，其管理部门中远程办公的女性占比颇高，亦是本研究的核心聚焦范畴。尽管Anvisa的女性员工在新冠疫情期间身兼多重工作角色与家庭照料责任，但仍选择依托远程办公的发展潜力。
支撑本文研究结果的方法论为基于半结构化访谈（semi-structured interviews）的质性研究方法。在数据分析阶段，五大核心类别获得了重点关注：生活质量、家庭生活、生产力与工作动机、个人组织管理，以及对远程办公的满意度认知。完成访谈转录后，本研究采用内容分析（content analysis）法对数据进行编码与解读。
研究结果显示，尽管存在社交隔离带来的不便，以及需额外承担家务与家庭义务的问题，受访女性仍对远程办公持满意态度，并认为远程办公有效提升了自身的生活质量，带来了诸多切实益处。本研究为新冠疫情前后远程办公相关研究领域的知识体系构建提供了重要贡献。此外，本研究可为制定兼顾职场女性价值的人员管理政策提供参考依据，助力实现职业与家庭生活的平衡。