Experiences of Job Loss among Migrants in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Theoretical background: Job loss is considered a stressful personal experience that may have a negative impact on an individual’s life. The rapidly increasing unemployment rate is not only a private matter but also a public concern entailing negative socio-economic consequences.

Purpose of the article: This research aimed to provide a better understanding of the experiences of migrants who lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland.

Research methods: The specific research questions that guided this study were: “What was the experience of job loss for the migrants who worked in Poland during the pandemic?”, “What were the coping strategies and how were they affected by COVID-19?”. The interview texts were analyzed using thematic analysis. A purposeful sampling strategy was supplied with snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 participants.

Main findings: Respondents applied several coping techniques, starting with finding a new job, emphasizing positive aspects, and keeping busy with self-development activities adjusted to pandemic restrictions. The pandemic has not forced any respondent to give up any particular way of coping with job loss, even in terms of social support, despite the risk of infection and the government’s recommendation to isolate. Respondents reported also a very limited inflence of pandemic on their job searching process, with the only difference to the detriment of non-EU migrants, who noted the emerging reluctance of employers to deal with visa and residence permit bureaucracy.