Teleworking and Work-Family Reconciliation in the Public Sector: Impact of Gender and Family

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze Chilean public servants’ perception of working from home and work-family reconciliation.

Methodology: The research design was quantitative, descriptive. Standardized questionnaires were applied in a convenience sample of 1135 public servants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and linear regression models, in order to identify possible differences regarding the perception of remote work and work-family balance according to sex, the existence of caring responsibilities at home and type of contract.

Results: There is a positive general perception of remote work, given adequate institutional support, work-family balance and environmental conditions. However, significant differences were found in the perception of the convenience of remote work and work-family balance based on gender, caregiving responsibilities for children and/or older adults, and contract type.

Implications: This study contributes to discuss how remote work may be equally beneficial for organizations and workers, provided that work autonomy and adequate conditions are granted, as well as the existence of organizational policies aimed at making work and family conciliation feasible.

Originality: Results suggest the importance of considering gender, caregiving responsibilities, and contract type among the variables that might affect organizational outcomes of remote work, as these factors have been less explored in previous research.