Teleworking arrangements during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond

Telework, defined as the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs), such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, for work that is performed outside the employer’s premises, is not new, having existed since the 1970’s in some parts of world. It was expected to grow in usage as costs of ICTs and broadband communications became cheaper, but its regular use was limited mainly to employer-worker agreements in certain occupations and sectors. In 2020, the Covid-19 global pandemic changed this situation. In an attempt to limit the spread of the Covid 19 virus, keep workers employed, and limit the negative economic consequences of the pandemic, policymakers and employers implemented telework whenever possible.