Digital remote work influencing public administration employees satisfaction in public health complex contexts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze whether digital remote work in times of Covid-19 is influencing the satisfaction of Public Administration employees. Based on the objective of this study, an online survey was conducted in the Portuguese Public Administration, for a sample of 70 individuals, working at home due to the situation of Public Health caused by the Coronavirus. Digital remote work is being applied massively worldwide and is a specific form of work organization supported by information and knowledge. Digital remote workers carry out their activities at home and using digital technologies, depending on the nature of the tasks and work situations. To understand the satisfaction of Public Administration employees, an empirical study was carried out, supported by data collection through an online survey. The main conclusions were that despite the constraints (resistance of top management, organizational culture, autonomy, and flexibility of workers, among others) that existed before the health and socioeconomic crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, digital remote work is a given in the life of organizations, public or private, and of workers with reflection at various levels in society and particularly in the professional fulfillment and satisfaction of employees. According to the analysis carried out on the data collected to support the conclusions of this study, the degree of satisfaction of Public Administration employees is influenced in different ways by the influencing factors studied: autonomy at work, conditions at work, and income. However, regarding the factor of quality of life at work, this link has not been established. Thus, it was possible to conclude that satisfaction increases positively and strongly with autonomy at work. Technological specialization and productivity still have a positive influence, but with low intensity contribute to the satisfaction of AP employees. Working conditions also negatively influence satisfaction, although at an average intensity. However, the average degree of job satisfaction varies according to the different age groups, with employees aged 35 or more having a higher satisfaction average than employees whose ages vary between 34 and the beginning of their working lives.