Developing a wellbeing framework for employees working from home within a South African government entity

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally transformed work arrangements, accelerating the shift to remote work and reshaping employee wellbeing. While working from home (WFH) offered flexibility and autonomy, it also introduced challenges such as social isolation, anxiety, and reduced engagement. Guided by contextual psychology, which emphasizes the dynamic interaction between individuals and their environments, this study examines employee wellbeing in a public sector context and aims to develop a context-sensitive wellbeing framework. A qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological design was employed within a constructivist-interpretivist paradigm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine employees from a South African government entity who transitioned to WFH. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Contextual psychology informed the interpretation by emphasizing how organizational, social, and personal conditions shape wellbeing. Trustworthiness was ensured through established qualitative rigor strategies. A central theme of "recommended approaches" emerged, comprising five subthemes: happiness, flexibility, clear employee engagement, training and development, and constant support. Findings indicate that wellbeing is context-dependent and influenced by organizational practices, technological readiness, and social connection. Hybrid work enhanced happiness through social interaction and positive emotions; flexibility promoted autonomy; engagement reduced role ambiguity; training improved competence; and support strengthened resilience. These dimensions informed the development of an integrated working from home wellbeing framework (WFHWB).