1.K. Workshop: New working environments, occupational risks and socioeconomic inequalities during covid-19 pandemic

• Published in: European journal of public health 2021-10, Vol.31 (Supplement_3)
• Main Authors: Chair persons: Maria Papadakaki (EUPHA-INJ), Gunnel Hensing (EUPHA-SSWH), Organised by: EUPHA-INJ, EUPHA-SSWH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Companies; Confidentiality; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disabilities; Employers; Employment; Harassment; Human rights; Labor standards; Mental health; Occupational health; Occupational safety; Pandemics; Principles; Public health; Public policy; Risk reduction; Social inequality; Social protection; Telecommuting; Well being; Work; Work at home; Workers; Workplaces; Workshops
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.050

Working from home has been mandated in many parts of the world as a temporary public health measure. Transition to such alternative working forms and environments have required new working arrangements and alternative working plans for job functions and tasks that were not fully anticipated by company policies, national laws and regulations. Risks arising in the new remote workspaces need to be identified to safeguard workers' health and mental well-being, especially among the most vulnerable workers. Workers' ability to carry out the tasks, their living arrangements, family responsibilities, and health conditions or disabilities need to be considered. Confidentiality, security, and an anti-harassment policy are also critical in remote working. Workplace policies and clear guidelines have been deemed necessary to address these challenges. Many countries around the world have begun legislating aspects of remote working to grant legal certainties and specify rights and responsibilities for both employers and workers. The workshop will attempt to map the work patterns that emerged during the covid-19 pandemic and to highlight the opportunities, challenges and risks arising from the new working environments. Health, economic and social impacts of new employment arrangements will be discussed with emphasis on systemic and structural factors increasing inequalities. Social protection gaps will be highlighted in line with human rights and international labour standards. The workshop will further discuss how to take advantage of the extensive potential of innovative tools and forms of work with regard to employee health and safety. Public policies, legislative initiatives and innovative ways of responding to the challenges will be presented. The workshop will conclude with policy recommendations taking into account the future of work that will be shaped due to COVID-19. Overall, the workshop will promote a discussion on emerging working environments, occupational risks and access of workers to social protection and social rights. It will further discuss the factors that increase workers' vulnerability, practice standards and organisational principles and policies as well as innovative ways to mitigate risks at individual, company and system level. Key messages Map new trends, risks and opportunities in the transition from traditional working environments to working from home and identify systemic and structural barriers to safe employment. Review public policies,