Telework: A Temporary Adaptation or a Milestone in the Changing World of Work

Abstract

The recent rapid surge of telework was enabled by the information and communications technologies but caused by the restrictive measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge in this case was the speed at which teleworking was introduced and the scale it reached. Despite the fact that after the pandemic many employers chose to return to work on premises, the positive experience and the clear interest among all stakeholders in telework or hybrid work, where telework is altered with work on premises is already here to stay. It can be expected that in the near future telework will keep expanding to meet the preferences of employers, workers and public authorities. However, teleworking has its setbacks and they need to be addressed in order to fully unleash the enormous potential of this form of work.

JEL: J20, J24, J58, J81, F69