Virus Is Forcing Telework, Something Not in Union Contracts (1)

As the new coronavirus forces businesses to shut down offices and employees to work remotely, unions and management are dealing with work arrangements that are largely unaddressed in collective bargaining agreements.

About 3.9% of union contracts over the past five years mention “telecommuting,” “telework,” or “work from home,” according to an analysis of more than 4,300 documents in Bloomberg Law’s online library of collective bargaining agreements.

The lack of contract language suggests employers may be implementing widespread telework policies in office cultures lacking substantial previous experience with remote work. Employers across the country, from Capital One to Microsoft to the ...