Examining perceptions of social support and work engagement: The case of Covid-19 home-based working

Objectives The main objective of this study was to explore perceptions of work engagement and social support during the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent shift to home-based working. In addition, this study aims to emphasise the importance of social support as a job resource to positively influence work engagement. Summary For the purposes of this research, interviews with workers in Finland were conducted. The interviews’ aim was to gain insight into what have been the most challenging and rewarding aspects of home-based working and what different social support employees have received. The interviews also focused on trying to identify the most relevant types of social support that could benefit organizations and employees. Conclusions In conclusion, employees have felt relatively engaged during remote work due to the pandemic. Despite many having little experience of home- based working, changes to the way work is performed, interviewees felt they had benefitted from some of the changes. When issues have occurred, family and close friends seem to be the most important social support network to have