Teleworking as a work modality: reflections from institutional analysis

This opinion article addresses teleworking, which has gained momentum in Brazil due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussions arose from a course in the Professional Master's Degree in Health Services Management at a nursing school in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The authors raised teleworking-related questions, which are not only affecting their lives, but also the lives of workers in general, causing problems socially, economically, and related to workers' health. The reflections were drawn up using some concepts from institutional analysis. This article aimed to analyze teleworking as an analyzer of work in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As teleworking rapidly took off, the benefits were envisioned, but the potential detriments of this type of work were not considered. As a result, many professionals working from home began to work in unsuitable conditions, lacking the necessary infrastructure and support to perform their activities, such as ergonomic furniture, equipment, materials, internet access, technical assistance, training, and support. However, teleworking should not be overlooked, as many workers have identified with this type of work and many organizations have benefited from it becoming institutionalized. However, we cannot remain "numb," waiting for some miraculous reversion to pre-pandemic conditions, in order to organize the new type of "normal" in the world of work in a less alienated way.