"Blurred lines" - Male experiences of work from home policy whilst raising children during COVID-19 (0-11) an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

The workforce of the UK is under unprecedented strain because of the COVID-19 pandemic where many are forced to work from home. Whilst work from home has been a longstanding part of flexible working arrangements and a key part of the CIPD push for ‘good work’, it was never intended to be the only way that many work. The research suggests that there is a difference between male and female experiences and the existing literature focuses on female experiences of working from home especially when having the additional responsibility of parenthood. The lack of research into the male perspective can be largely attributed to the lack of working from home in this demographic before the pandemic. Therefore, this paper seeks to start and address this fundamental gap in the literature at a time when far more within this demographic are working from home. The objective of the paper is to provide understanding of the lived experiences of this key demographic, fathers, and despite it being under phenomena circumstances, the research aims to begin an important discussion around how work from home affects fathers as well as mothers. We find ourselves in unprecedented times and so the method used was semi-structured, video conference facilitated, interviews which allowed for in-depth qualitative data collection following an interpretative phenomenological approach. Therefore, the method of data analysis was an interpretative phenomenological analysis which, due to the focus on lived experiences, allowed the voice of the participants to remain and for their interpretation of their experience to be the findings of the study. A broad theme, superordinate and subordinate themes were developed through this analysis technique. The central theme of challenging work-life balance was developed as well as 6 superordinate themes and 9 subordinate themes. This paper brings together five fathers experiences of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows that these men found it hard to find balance in a world of blurred lines; this impacted them physically and mentally and put unique strain on their relationships. This study is a base for further research and an ongoing discussion around how the pandemic has changed the way the economy works and therefore begins to plug some key gaps within the existing literature.