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Description
We aim to assess impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-life balance(WLB) and, as a result, contribute to the Portuguese legal system. During COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese Government ruled for labour reorganisation with compulsory home teleworking (Dec-Law no. 79-A/2020), with implications on personal and professional dynamics. It is urgent to know the impacts on family/cohabitation dynamics, looking at gender differences and the impacts on gender equality(GE). Main repercussions reported were: increase fatigue and stress levels by women; higher levels of work-family conflict, stress and fatigue for people in telework with care responsibilities(e.g.Belzunegui-Eraso & Erro-Garcés, 2020;Moço, Lopes, & Soares, 2020;Raisiene et al,2020). For ILO (2020) telework is part of our reality and will remain, so, as corroborated by Eurofound2020, it is crucial to promote workers’ well-being. Four, gender mainstreamed and, interconnected phases will occur: 1)Research and Systematization of State of the Art (inter/national) on the pandemic impacts in WLB (focusing telework); 2)Empirical Study on experiences of conciliation of telework with cohabitational/family context; 3)Public Policy Proposals Production, with focus on legislation and organizational practices of telework as a tool for GE; 4)White Paper Conclusion with critical integration of outcomes.
Relevance of this project includes: ENIND2018-2030, contributing to the PAIMH, aiming to assess/intervene at labour market level to combat sex/gender discrimination, and to contribute to a full and equal participation of women and men by promoting WLB measures; PAOIEC, by including diverse cohabitation/family constellations (e.g.LGBTIQA+ people) and experiences into account; Conciliation and Gender Equality Programme and EEA Financial Mechanism2014-2021, specifically, the Work-life balance area of a)innovation, research, education and competitiveness sector.
Summary of project results
This project aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the balance between family and professional life. Adopting a gender perspective, it sought to contribute to the improvement of the Portuguese legal system and/or public policies to promote equality between women and men. The main repercussions of remote work at home included increased work-family conflict, stress, and fatigue. These effects were more frequently reported by women and individuals working remotely who also had caregiving responsibilities. It was crucial to understand the impact of remote work on family/cohabitation dynamics, gender-based differences, and its influence on gender equality nationally and internationally.
The project was conducted in four interconnected phases, each incorporating a gender perspective. Initially, it involved research and analysis to characterize the Portuguese context of teleworking during the pandemic, with a focus on gender differences, and included a review of national and international literature as well as comparative analysis of legal frameworks and public policies. The second phase employed mixed-method empirical research to study the experiences of professionals balancing telework and family dynamics through surveys and case studies, resulting in submissions to peer-reviewed journals. The third phase focused on developing preliminary public policy proposals to promote teleworking as a tool for gender equality, with input from national and international partners. Finally, the project culminated in the production of a White Paper, synthesizing findings and policy recommendations to improve legislation and organizational practices.
The HomeWork project achieved significant outcomes by addressing social and economic disparities and promoting gender equality in the labor market. By evaluating and intervening in workplace dynamics, it contributed to reducing discrimination based on sex/gender, aligning with constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination. The project enhanced the Portuguese legal system and public policies, fostering gender equality through its findings and dissemination of relevant knowledge. The collaboration with national and international partners resulted in the co-production of comprehensive public policy proposals informed by on-the-ground research. These outcomes benefited policymakers, organizations, and society at large by promoting inclusion, work-life balance, and diversity in professional environments.
Summary of bilateral results
The Promoting Entity reported that bilateral relations with the Donor Countries, particularly Norway, were strengthened through meetings, benchmarking visits, and participation in conferences. These activities facilitated mutual learning in common areas of focus, such as work-life balance, telework organization, and equality in workplace and housing environments. The adoption of best practices was encouraged, enhancing bilateral ties between Portugal and Norway. Beyond the project''s scope, professional relationships in telework and gender equality themes have extended into potential future collaborations. Benchmarking initiatives revealed synergies that could lead to joint applications and the development of new intervention and research projects, with Portugal benefiting from the donor country''s expertise as a mentor. In conclusion, the HomeWork project established a solid foundation for the continuation of its initiatives.