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Work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic. A European perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Vincenzo Alfano

    (Università Partenope)

  • Ilaria Mariotti

    (DAStU-Politecnico di Milano)

  • Nunzia Nappo

    (Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II)

  • Gaetano Vecchione

    (Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II)

Abstract

The EU’s remote working landscape, marked by heterogeneity, underwent significant changes due to COVID-19. We use Eurofound’s longitudinal Living, Working and COVID-19 e-survey to explore work-life balance shifts among remote workers from spring 2020 to spring 2022. Quantitative analysis reveals heightened work-life balance challenges for married, female, parent, and university-educated remote workers. Employer work-life balance intensified post-pandemic, while self-employed workers faced consistent challenges. Countries with less of a history of remote work exhibited reduced remote worker satisfaction through all phases of the pandemic. While sectoral effects were not pronounced, this study underscores nuanced demographic and employment-related impacts of remote work on work-life balance. Its findings provide new insights to the study of EU remote work dynamics, offering implications for workforce well-being and management strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenzo Alfano & Ilaria Mariotti & Nunzia Nappo & Gaetano Vecchione, 2024. "Work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic. A European perspective," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 51(4), pages 1041-1065, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolin:v:51:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s40812-024-00316-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s40812-024-00316-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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