Remote Work, Polish Families with Children and Inequalities in the Division of Labor. A Qualitative Longitudinal Research Perspective

Abstract

The text is devoted to the long-term implications of remote work. It addresses the question of whether remote work deepens or balances inequalities between women and men. The theoretical framework is inspired by boundary theory and considers work performed outside the professional context. A typology of remote work models was developed based on analysing 48 online interviews collected as part of qualitative longitudinal research. Analyses indicate that, depending on the configuration in the family, remote work can consolidate or deepen inequalities (double-shift model), lead to slight and reversible changes (second shift model), and enable more balanced relationships (flexible family model). Including a quasi-control group (participants who worked remotely periodically) allowed for assessing the role played by the durability of remote work experience and analysing the spectrum of sources of satisfaction with it. The text offers a twofold contribution to the literature. Firstly, the analyses confirm that it is necessary to consider who works remotely in the family. Model solutions imply a differentiated approach to the division of labour and the boundaries between