Telework and Social Services in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper analyses teleworking in social services during the state of alarm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. It has a double objective: To analyse the profile of the professional who teleworked in social services and, on the other hand, to analyse the perception of teleworkers of working conditions during this period, as well as the degree to which they have been affected by them depending on whether they work face-to-face or telematically. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to Spanish social service professionals working, obtaining a sample of 560 professionals in the sector. The profile obtained in relation to teleworking may be especially useful when considering the progressive incorporation of more non-presential activity in social services, and the results show that, although teleworking has been perceived as an efficient way of overcoming the limitations to face-to-face work arising from the pandemic, both the positive and negative consequences of the implementation of this modality of work should be carefully assessed.

Automated summary

This paper analyzes teleworking in social services during the state of alarm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, with the aim of understanding the profile of teleworking professionals and their perception of working conditions during this period. Results from a questionnaire survey of 560 professionals in the sector show that while teleworking is perceived as an efficient way to overcome limitations from the pandemic, both positive and negative consequences of this work modality should be carefully assessed.