Remote work in the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues of efficiency and social inequality
 
 
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Department of Sociology of Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan [Zakład Socjologii Edukacji, Wydział Studiów Edukacyjnych, Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu], Wieniawskiego 1, 61-712 Poznan, Poland.
 
 
Submission date: 2021-11-14
 
 
Final revision date: 2021-12-20
 
 
Acceptance date: 2021-12-20
 
 
Publication date: 2021-12-22
 
 
Corresponding author
Anna Sobczak   

Zakład Socjologii Edukacji, Wydział Studiów Edukacyjnych, Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wieniawskiego 1, 61-712 Poznań, Polska
 
 
Wychowanie w Rodzinie 2021;24(1):147-159
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic caused transformation of the mode of work provision from stationary (on-site) to remote working. This brought a number of consequences for both employers and employees in terms of work organization as well as confi rmed existing and created new forms of social inequality. Aim. The aim of this article is to attempt to characterize remote work in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with special attention to its effectiveness as well as social inequalities. Materials and methods. The paper uses the method of analysis and synthesis of literature sources. Results. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated some already existing forms of social inequality; the phenomenon of unequal access to remote work occurred. Analyses of its effectiveness revealed the still functioning unequal division of household responsibilities between women and men, resulting from the patriarchal family model cultivated in many societies and the assignment of “traditional” social roles to women. Conclusions. Remote work will be a post-pandemic norm in some sectors of the labour market and some businesses. Therefore, it is necessary to develop those digital competences that are necessary in remote working conditions during school education as well as in higher education. It is also important to undertake social activities to eliminate the social inequalities that limit access to remote working and that negatively affect the effectiveness of the remote working of women.
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