Quality of life and telework: perceptions of technical-administrative staff at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro

Abstract

Technological transformations and the expansion of telework, accelerated by Covid-19, have brought their effects on quality of work life in the public sector back to the forefront. This study examined quality of work life in telework among technical-administrative staff at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro with at least six months in this arrangement. A mixed-methods design was adopted using the Quality of Work Life in Telework Scale, composed of 27 items across five dimensions – self-management, work context, workplace infrastructure, technological infrastructure, and work overload –, rated on an 11-point Likert-type scale. The scale showed high internal consistency. Analyses included psychometric cartography and two open-ended questions on sources of well-being and ill-being, summarized through lexical recurrence and illustrative excerpts. Results indicate predominantly positive perceptions in Self-management, Infrastructure, and Technological Infrastructure, signaling autonomy, organization, and adequate material and technical support. Work Overload yielded the lowest scores, suggesting pressure and excessive demands. Work Context showed greater variability, especially regarding institutional support and professional recognition. We conclude that, when well structured, telework can foster well-being, provided it is accompanied by realistic goal management, technological support, and consistent communication and recognition practices. The findings offer input for refining internal policies and for future research on quality of work life in remote arrangements within the public sector.