"The magic triangle between bed, office, couch": a qualitative exploration of job demands, resources, coping, and the role of leadership in remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated many employees to work from home with immediate efect
for several months, regardless of their workplace preference or situation at home. Against this backdrop, this study
explores perceived job demands and resources as well as the role of leadership and coping strategies of employees
and managers with little or no prior experience with working from home in the altered work environment.
Methods Based on the job demands-resources model, we developed an interview guide and conducted thirty-four
semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed deductively-inductively using qualitative
content analysis.
Results Experienced job demands include, e.g., challenging, insufcient digital communication, and lack
of social exchange, while greater fexibility and work-life balance were identifed as valuable resources. Regarding
the role of leadership, signaling trust, keeping regular contact, and supporting employees are important. To cope
with the unforeseen yet persistent work situation, participants applied creative strategies by setting up ofces
at home with what they had at disposal. Diferences were observed between employee and managerial perceptions
as well as over time during the pandemic.
Conclusions The results expand our knowledge about healthy remote work by adding specifc demands, resources,
and coping strategies employees and managers experienced during the extreme situation of the COVID-19 pandemic
to the picture as well as specifying the role of leadership. Moreover, our fndings provide a foundation for guidelines
for healthy remote work design and collaboration in times of abrupt change and crises.
Keywords Job demands, Resources, Coping, Leadership, Remote work, Work from home, Coronavirus, Interview
study, Qualitative analysis