The experience of loneliness in men who telework: an analysis from phenomenology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18041/2322-634X/rcso.2.2023.10537Keywords:
loneliness, telework, occupational risks, phenomenology, qualitative researchAbstract
Introduction: in modern societies people live more alone every day and work modalities such as teleworking cause social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Occupational risks in face-to-face tasks have been widely characterized, but the risks of remote work modalities are still under investigation. This qualitative research aimed to study how teleworkers experience loneliness and the aspects that determine this experience.
Methods: Seven teleworkers were recruited to participate in face-to-face semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology. The participants described in detail their way of working and work relationships, information that was grouped into themes and categories from which the results were generated.
Results: Full-time teleworking, such as the one that occurred during the pandemic, caused feelings of intense loneliness in workers, which worsened with the distance generated by inadequate virtual communication and the absence of interpersonal ties.
Conclusion: The experience of the participants showed that teleworking causes loneliness in workers, but hybrid work and relationships between coworkers that occur in non-work settings decrease the perception of loneliness, so it is necessary for organizations with this modality of work have face-to-face workspaces and improve their communication strategies.
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