Teletrabalho compulsório: uma análise da qualidade de vida, satisfação e desempenho no trabalho dos servidores técnico-administrativos da UNIPAMPA durante a pandemia da Covid-19

Abstract

After the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, restrictive measures were implemented to contain widespread contamination and prevent overload on healthcare systems (BRAZIL, 2020). In this context, telework, emerged as an alternative to maintain operations without violating social distancing guidelines and was adopted by public educational institutions, including the Universidade Federal do Pampa – UNIPAMPA. Recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), telework offers several benefits, including enhanced quality of work life and increased productivity, job satisfaction, and work performance (ILO, 2013; OLIVEIRA; PANTOJA, 2018; FILARDI; CASTRO; ZANINI, 2020; LLÁCER IBORRA, 2020). With the goal of delving deeper into this topic, this study aimed to examine how mandatory telework impacted the quality of work life, job satisfaction, and work performance of UNIPAMPA's technical-administrative employees during the pandemic. To achieve this, a descriptive quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing a structured electronic questionnaire (survey) consisting of 53 questions covering four constructs: teleworking, Quality of Work Life (QWL), job satisfaction, and work performance, in addition to sociodemographic and professional aspects. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to validate the constructs and the final integrated model. Subsequently, the hypotheses were tested based on existing publications. The results indicated a direct and significant relationship between teleworking and quality of work life, which, in turn, had a direct influence on the job satisfaction and work performance of UNIPAMPA's technical-administrative employees during the Covid-19 pandemic. Contrary to the initial model proposed, an indirect relationship between telework and job satisfaction and work performance among staff members was observed, mediated by the quality of work life. Finally, the results refuted the hypotheses regarding a significant relationship between the gender of interviewees and their preference for telework, as well as the direct influence of job satisfaction on employee performance during the Covid-19 pandemic. As an intervention proposal, several recommendations have been outlined for UNIPAMPA managers aiming to enhance teleworking, quality of work life (QWL), job satisfaction, and work performance of the institution's technical-administrative staff.