Caregiver Faculty: Working through a Pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Organizational Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread adoption of work from home (WFH) policies.
• Existing research on WFH benefits and drawbacks predates the pandemic's large-scale implementation.
• Caregiving responsibilities, often disproportionately affecting women, intersect with WFH experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the implementation of WFH mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To compare the experiences of faculty with and without caregiving responsibilities.
• To inform institutional policy for future remote work arrangements.

Main Methods:

• Convenience sampling of full-time college faculty at a mid-sized Florida state college.
• Comparative analysis of survey data from caregivers and non-caregivers.
• Application of Elmore's backward mapping and Smith's Standpoint for policy and gendered experience analysis.

Main Results:

• Employee suitability for WFH varies, with some thriving and others less enthusiastic.
• Household caregiving responsibilities significantly influence WFH experiences and suitability.
• Differences in caregiver-employee status impact adaptation to remote work.

Conclusions:

• WFH success is contingent on individual circumstances, particularly caregiving duties.
• Institutional policies should consider the diverse needs of employees, especially caregivers.
• Understanding WFH strengths and weaknesses is crucial for effective employer strategies.