Challenges of working from home during covid-19 pandemic: a study based on the academic staff of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Covid-19 has created many challenges around the world in different fields. In that respect the higher education is also affected and adopted working from home system to continue the education activities for the undergraduate students. Anyhow there are many challenges faced by the academic staff in the system of WFH practically. Thus, the major aim of the study is to examine the challenges of working from home based on the academic staff of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. In order to that this study analyzes the IT and technical related challenges, environmental, personal life as well as other challenges. This study selected the total population to collect the data and 105 responses were gathered among them from all the faculties of SEUSL. Data for this research was collected through the structured questionnaires and discussion method. The findings of the study reveal that most of the staffs are facing network issue while doing lectures, do not have a dedicated area for work, working with kids is very hard, unable to complete the scheduled tasks on time and students are not controllable in online. Therefore, this research recommends to the flexible hours for staff to work, providing internet packages, facilitating loan arrangements to reset the home to work freely and investing in technological infrastructure to reduce the Challenges.