Abstract
International assignments tend to be a turbulent time for expatriates, as they bring about changes in the two main spheres of their lives: personal/private and work. Although work-life interface is a challenge among expatriates it can also be an enrichment. In view of this situation, the aim of this paper is to identify how expatriates work-day life changed while performing overseas tasks during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze how this new status quo will influence future expatriates’ expectations regarding their work-life interface. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 expatriates. Results show that although since the beginning of the quarantine, private life is interfering in work bringing work-life conflict, the role of expatriates’ family positively impacted their work-life balance and enrichment. We conclude that the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on expatriates can be a pathway to work-life harmony, where work and life are seen as an integrative domain, rather than competing ones.
Presenters
Sylvia MelloPhD Student, IAG Business School, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
The Value of Culture and the Demand of Change
KEYWORDS
COVID-19 pandemic, Expatriates, Expatriation challenges, Work-life interface
