Reflections on work-life integration post-pandemic: A perspective from pharmacy practice faculty.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The effects of COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on how work is conducted moving forward. Prior to the pandemic, work-life integration and well-being were priorities for many organizations, including pharmacy. The disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic pushed businesses and organizations worldwide into an era of agility and flexibility previously unknown to the majority of workplaces. PERSPECTIVE Increased remote work has presented both increased challenges (e.g., engagement) and opportunities (e.g., productivity). After a year of experience, this shift in the nature of how work is done has provided an opportunity to reimagine how and where work will be conducted in the future. IMPLICATIONS Schools and colleges of pharmacy have an opportunity to re-evaluate how academic and practice responsibilities are accomplished in regards to work life-integration and management of concurrent work and family responsibilities. Administration and faculty should foster a culture of transparency on this topic to collaboratively incorporate methods that better facilitate work-life integration moving forward.