Working From Home and the Right to Disconnect During the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study on the Limits of Digital Labor
Chapter from the book:
Kırcı Çevik,
N.
&
Buğan,
M.
F.
(eds.)
2025.
Theory, Research and Debates in Social Sciences - 3.
Synopsis
Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, a recent global health crisis, and in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic, the working from home model has become widespread in our country and around the world. Working from home, which entered our lives with the pandemic, has been a new experience both in Turkey and globally, especially for employees with dependents and indefinite-term contracts. While this model hasn't found widespread adoption in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture, it has quickly gained adoption, particularly in the service sector. Working from home practices, which became widespread with the Covid-19 pandemic, have led to uncertain working hours and an increase in phenomena such as digital burnout. In this context, the concept of the "right to disconnect" stands out as a protection mechanism against the necessity of employees being digitally available after work. The aim of this study is to examine the importance and applicability of the right to disconnect in the context of working from home using qualitative data. Furthermore, by considering legal regulations in Turkey and Europe, it offers assessments on how to protect the boundaries of labor in the increasingly digital world of work. The study used qualitative research to examine participants' feelings and thoughts about disconnection. Twenty-seven employees who worked from home participated in the study. The study was conducted using a set of 33 semi-structured questions. The responses from the study group, formed through purposive sampling, were analyzed using content analysis. The responses obtained from participants regarding the right to disconnect were analyzed and subjected to content analysis. The research concluded that the right to disconnect is also important for those working from home and that this right should be provided.
