Work-Life balance och distansarbete : En kvalitativ studie om upplevelser av Work-Life balance vid distansarbete bland kontorsanställda kommunmedarbetare

Sammanfattning: Remote work has significantly grown in recent decades, facilitated by technological advancements that allow work outside the employer's premises. This shift has blurred the boundaries between work and personal life, giving rise to questions regarding Work-Life balance in remote work.  Previous research has primarily been quantitative, providing limited insight into employees' experiences. Hence, this qualitative study aims to investigate the experiences of work-life balance in remote work among office-based employees in a municipality in central Sweden.  Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with eight participants and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Three main categories emerged: "Better compatibility with personal time," "Challenges establishing boundaries but potentially improved work performance," and "Transformed relationships." The main theme was "Remote work can enhance personal time, family life, and individual work performance, but requires strong boundary-setting skills and hinders informal learning."  The findings reveal that remote work is compatible with personal time and generates a productive work environment for those who can work from home uninterrupted. Not meeting colleagues daily minimizes distractions, but also affects informal learning negatively. Participants described remote work as advantageous for family life. However, the risk of overwork is perceived to be higher, underscoring the importance of developing strategies to establish Work-Life balance.