A Study on understanding the benefits and challenges of ‘Working from home’ amid Covid-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Introduction-The Corona Virus Pandemic and consequent lockdown in many countries across the globe resulted in travel restrictions. In India also, the corporate sector had to close its offices and employees were completely working from home. Due to technological advances in the connected era, the employees were remotely connected, and in attempts to avoid loss of productivity the work was getting done completely on virtual platforms. The employees working remotely and were not traveling to their offices since offices were completely shut. The sudden shift from office-based work, to a complete work from home scenario resulted in mixed feelings for many stakeholders. Purpose: This research attempts to capture the perception of employees (from the Indian Corporate Sector) on working from home/‘working online’ during the lockdown because of the Corona Virus pandemic. To understand the satisfaction, among employees towards a complete Work from home scenario and the benefits and challenges of working from home. It also tries to understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of working from home. Methodology: Secondary research involved a review of literature from various national and international journals. The primary study included a survey among employees of the Corporate Sector (mainly from Mumbai City) to understand their perceptions and attitudes toward working from home. A sample of 240 respondents is taken into consideration. The Survey questions consisted of a mix of open-ended and close-ended questions. Findings: The study on understanding working from Home during the Corona Virus pandemic outbreak and consequent lockdown gave the following results. The majority of employees can complete a large extent of their work responsibilities online, indicating a greater scope of remote working in the post-pandemic world. There is average satisfaction (67%) among employees working from home. Employees still regard offices as a better work arrangement for many factors like better productivity, better engagement and teamwork, high task variety, and better monitoring and discipline. Contribution: Study contribute to the understanding of Working from Home during the Corona Virus pandemic outbreak and consequent lockdown.