Description

THE IMPACT OF TELEWORK ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WITH A FOCUS ON UNEQUAL ACCESS TO TELEWORK

This applied research study, developed by Notus for Eurofound, aims to analyse the impact of teleworking on social and economic inequalities within the European Union since the onset of the pandemic.

From a comparative perspective, the project examines inequalities in access to teleworking and the associated quality of working conditions, paying particular attention to individual, organisational and institutional factors. The study contributes to European debates on the future of work, digitalisation, work-life balance, and gender equality.

The study’s objectives are:

• To analyse how teleworking has contributed to creating or reproducing social and economic inequalities in the EU.

• To examine inequalities in access to teleworking between different groups of workers and occupations.

• To assess the role of national regulation, case law and collective bargaining in shaping these inequalities.

• The study aims to provide comparative evidence to inform the design of European public policies on teleworking and working conditions.

The study combines qualitative and comparative methodologies, including:

• • • A scoping literature review of scientific and grey literature focused on the post-pandemic period.

    • Comparative analysis of national legislation on teleworking and working time in the 27 EU Member States.

    • Analysis of case law in countries representative of different regulatory models.

    • Development of comparative typologies on levels of regulatory protection and the role of collective bargaining.