An exploratory study of the work structure and job satisfaction after the compulsory full return-to-office for IT workers in Dublin

Vaz, Arthur Caçador (2025) An exploratory study of the work structure and job satisfaction after the compulsory full return-to-office for IT workers in Dublin. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

In the wake of a global pandemic that redefined how and where we work, many IT professionals found unexpected value in the flexibility of remote work: more time with family, fewer hours lost to commuting, and the comfort of working from their own space. But as the world began to stabilise, tech giants like Amazon and X reversed course, mandating a full return to the office. This research aims to investigate the impacts of mandatory return-to-office policies on work structure and job satisfaction among IT workers in Dublin. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model and using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on the lived experiences of employees who navigated the journey from office to remote work and back again, investigating how the compulsory return to office has affected work structure, job demands, available resources, and overall job satisfaction. The findings revealed that while workers appreciated the structure and social interactions of in-office work, they also struggled with commuting stress, diminished flexibility, and a disconnect between workplace expectations and personal needs. Many felt their well-being had taken a back seat in the push to reoccupy physical spaces, which directly impacted their job satisfaction. By shedding light on how IT workers perceive and adapt to enforced workplace shifts, this study offers timely insights for organisations aiming to balance operational goals with employee well-being in a post-pandemic world.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Cheevers, Tara UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	R Medicine > Diseases > Outbreaks of disease > Epidemics > COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > I.T. Industry H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Quality of Work Life / Job Satisfaction
Divisions:	School of Business (- 2025) > Master of Science in Management
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2026 12:49
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2026 12:49
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9091

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