Raging for nearly six months, the coronavirus pandemic scattered a wide swath of the U.S. workforce from its offices.
Now private sector employers are being forced to confront a long-deferred question: will they retain this large-scale remote workforce flexibility or push to re-establish a status quo long perceived as integral to corporate culture?
Worker advocates have long pushed companies to be more open to remote work where possible, asserting it can help tamp down on discrimination against those with disabilities, older workers or caregivers.
Yet, many employers, backed by courts, have resisted providing remote work options, fearing ...