Effect of Work from Home on Workplace Romance: A Socio-Economic Perspective

Abstract

There has been a lot of research work on Covid, but hardly any on impact of work from home (WfH) on workplace romance (WR). WR in organizations has been a controversial and debatable topic since early days. From the literature it was visible that researchers tried to analyze the impact of WR on organizational settings. In India the relationship is considered to be a forbidden taboo, especially in academic sector, where teachers are compared to the divine trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswar. But, with growing westernization and mushrooming of professional institutions with long working hours, the forbidden relationship was booming. Our study was carried out to examine the antecedents and consequences of workplace romance on various socio-economic variables, in Odisha before, during and post WfH scenario. A set of standard questionnaire on antecedents and consequences of WR was circulated. Data was collected from 230 samples consisting of 103 female and 127 male respondents from academic sector of Odisha. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of the data. The results of the study revealed that individuals got involved in workplace romance because of job insecurity (mostly in private institutes). Long working hour and outdoor activities promoted it. In the second phase that is during work from home same respondents were asked to predict whether work from home increases or decreases workplace romance. To which their reply was that it may reduce the workplace response. In the third and final phase i.e. post work from home the academicians (samples) were asked about the existing situation of Workplace romance. It was found out that employees continued to be engaged in workplace romance after work from home, as workplace romance was not only because of long working hours but also for their own life preferences. There was no positive relationship between workplace romance and efficiency/productivity, as many institutes were not able to capitalize on the relationship.