Remote Work: New Fields and Challenges for Labor Activism

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered how and when we work. Suddenly, organizations had to grant the possibility of working from home to all employees whose presence on-site was not necessary, independent of rank and job. In light of this experience, a return to permanent presence in the office for all has become unlikely. As remote work has both positive and negative implications for employees, their organizations, and workplace institutions, this contribution seeks to answer the following questions: First, what are the challenges for workplace equity and employee well-being that arise from the increased use of remote work? Second, what can be done to ensure that remote work actually benefits employees? Third, what are the implications of the increased use of remote work for the labor movement?

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how and when we work, with remote work becoming more prevalent. This has both positive and negative implications, leading to challenges for workplace equity and employee well-being. This article seeks to address these challenges and explore the implications for the labor movement.