Working From Home During Covid-19 Pandemic: Experiences Of Career Women At Unilever Ghana Limited
Date
2022-01
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
The outbreak of the novel corona virus has changed the scope of human activity in several ways. In the corporate environment, workers are forced to work from home as part of measures to control the spread of the virus. This poses challenges that presents gender dynamics requiring academic enquiry since men and women face peculiar challenges working from home. This study, therefore, sought to study the experiences of career women working from home to uncover the gendered challenges of work-family balance faced by career women. The study which adopted a strictly qualitative method was conducted at Unilever Ghana Limited using a sample of 17 career women. Using thematic analysis, the study found that stressors relating to working from home can be viewed from perspectives of psychological stress. The study captured varied opinions regarding the effect of working from home on employee performance. One section of the respondents admitted having their output increased while others stated otherwise. Furthermore, working from home comes with peculiar challenges ranging from erratic power and internet supply to an unconducive working environment at home due to either lack of supporting work structures or distractions from other domestic duties especially in the case of women. It is noted that the issues relating to working from home are not having the same bearing on both genders as women are faced with peculiar challenges of balancing work with other domestic duties. The study recommends that special incentives should be given to career women to enable them to focus on discharging their duties amid the demands of domestic duties to be done as the mother of the house. Again, award schemes should be organised for best performing employees working from home, with particular attention paid to women given their peculiar challenges.
Description
MPhil. Psychology
Keywords
Covid-19 Pandemic, Experiences, Career Women, Unilever, Ghana