Teachers, is Teleworking Suitable for You?

The labor market is in a state of constant dynamism and uncertainty, as the pandemic has changed the predictable trajectory, proving that work can be performed in various ways. Telework, as an emerging form of work organization, can generate unwanted effects on all levels of individuals' professional and social lives. In particular, for teachers, the absence of physical interaction creates difficulties with concentration, decreases motivation, distracts attention, and degrades relationships with students. The study's objective is to explore how teachers perceive the most frequently perceived disadvantages of telework, as mentioned in the literature review. Thus, the study analyzes the impact of social isolation, professional exhaustion, and the conflict between personal and professional life on teachers. The present study is conducted using a convenience sample of 103 participants and uses a quantitative design. The questionnaire used includes three scales: The Friendship Scale, Burnout Scale, and Work-Family Conflict Scale, to which are added questions specific to the theme and socio-demographic variables. The questionnaire was administered online, using the QuestionPro platform, between 03 and 17.06.2024. The research results indicate that among the negative aspects of telework, the subdimensions with the highest average scores are: 'social connection' (3.66), 'social isolation' (3.39), and 'work-family conflict' (2.84). In conclusion, the high scores for 'social connection' and 'social isolation' suggest that, although telework offers flexibility, it may lead to a decrease in the social interactions essential for professional and personal well-being. Similarly, the results indicate that telework negatively affects the balance between professional and personal life.


Keywords: Teleworking, education, teachers, social isolation, work-family conflict