A holistic approach to remote digital work: from the inconveniences suffered by employees to a comprehensive ‘fair compensation’

Abstract

The unprecedented surge of employees working remotely in Europe during the COVID-19 crisis, shone a spotlight on some related disadvantages. Focusing on employees of the private sector, the most relevant of these include additional professional costs, informal overtime, and psychosocial risks. Their significant impact on employees seems to contrast with the EU model of digital transition and encourages us to look for possible remedies. In light of this, the author suggests adopting a holistic perspective. He proposes, thus, a vision of ‘fair compensation’ aimed at thoroughly neutralizing the negative impact of remote digital work on employees. Moving from a comparative analysis of the legal framework of France, Italy, and Spain – three EU medium/large economies which most used remote digital work during the pandemic – the contribution provides a definition of fair compensation, identifies some of its current highest standards and provides some insight into its possible practical implications.