COVID-19 pandemic effects on blue-collar employees and impact on their occupational identity

This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blue-collar employees, whose in-person roles made remote work impossible during lockdowns. Using a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews and an interpretivist paradigm, the research found that these workers faced significant financial strain, reduced autonomy, and heightened physical and mental health challenges. The pandemic also altered their occupational identities, with participants experiencing changes in roles and reaffirming their sense of pride and purpose in their work. By addressing a knowledge gap, the study highlights the need for effective support mechanisms to mitigate such impacts in future crises, contributing valuable insights to the literature on blue-collar employees and occupational identity during pandemics.