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Work-From-Home in the New Normal: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Employees’ Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Mumtaz Ali Memon

    (NUST Business School, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Saba Shaikh

    (Department of Management Sciences, National University of Modern Languages Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad 71000, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Zeeshan Mirza

    (NUST Business School, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Asfia Obaid

    (NUST Business School, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Nuttawuth Muenjohn

    (School of Management, College of Business and Law, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia)

  • Hiram Ting

    (Department of Tourism and Commerce, UCSI University, Kuching 93000, Malaysia)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced employees to adapt and adjust to the new normal in an unprecedented way. While some employees have been able to move to work-from-home (WFH) relatively easily, many find it challenging. Notwithstanding the magnitude of change, little is known about the determinants of WFH employees’ mental health during COVID-19. This study therefore aims to explore (1) the salient factors that contribute to the mental health issues of WFH employees and (2) strategies to overcome WFH challenges. A qualitative approach using phenomenological inquiry was adopted. Forty-one employees who worked from home in Pakistan were sampled using the purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, employees believe that organizations offer inadequate support in both work-related and non-work-related matters. Five themes were elicited and coded as factors that contribute to mental health issues among WFH employees. Technical issues and system complexities, the absence of flexible working arrangements, distractions, a lack of communication, and inadequate social support were found to obstruct WFH and cause mental distress. Behavioral and cognitive coping strategies were also determined to tackle these mental issues. This study complements the human resource literature by exploring the factors that obstruct WFH and cause mental health issues in the context of the pandemic crisis. As mental well-being is more intricate than administrative arrangements, the study is useful for organizations to develop a feasible mechanism that facilitates the smooth execution of WFH for employees while ensuring their mental health is preserved. Using a phenomenological inquiry, the present study is one of the few to explore the factors that contribute to the mental health of WFH employees in the context of the pandemic crisis. Apart from its contribution to knowledge on human resource management and organizational behavior, it provides useful implications for managers, policymakers, and practitioners to manage WFH employees more effectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Mumtaz Ali Memon & Saba Shaikh & Muhammad Zeeshan Mirza & Asfia Obaid & Nuttawuth Muenjohn & Hiram Ting, 2022. "Work-From-Home in the New Normal: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Employees’ Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:48-:d:1009498
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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