Latvian employees’ attitudes towards remote work in the framework of work-family-community-self integration: a survey using the job demands-resources model

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to identify factors influencing attitudes towards remote work, categorise employed Latvians into proponents and opponents of remote work and analyse these groups in the work-family-community-self integration. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts the job demands-resources theory. Empirical research is based on a survey of employed Latvians (Feb–Mar 2021, n = 1,052, n = 853,200). The focus is on employed Latvians with remote work experience, constituting 534 individuals (50.7% of the sample). The sample aligns with the demographic profile of employed Latvians, with data weighted by age and sex (across 12 age–sex combinations) from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Research hypotheses include identification of “discriminatory” factors influencing the attitudes towards remote work, distinguishing between proponents and opponents; examination of distinct job demands and resources related to the work-family-community-self integration within the groups of proponents and opponents of remote work. Findings Survey results indicate that 11.2% respondents worked remotely before the COVID-19 pandemic, typically without formalisation. Among those with remote work experience, 40% support it, whereas 60% oppose it. Rather than social and demographics or employer support, work-related values play the most significant role in shaping attitudes. Proponents generally acquire more job resources than demands through remote work, fostering the work-family-community-self integration; conversely, opponents experience the opposite trend. Originality/value This study provides empirical insights into the attitudes of employed Latvians towards remote work in the work-family-community-self integration, using the job demands-resources model. Notably, it innovatively evaluates the institutionalisation of remote work.