During the past few months, millions of Americans (including a significant portion of New Jersey’s working population) have been relegated to work from home. For many of these employees, it has been their (and their employers’) first meaningful experience with teleworking. In many instances, the experience has demonstrated that teleworking can be a feasible alternative for office employees. Even as concerns about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for some may be abating, many employers may still be considering adopting more permanent telework policies or expanding currently existing telework policies.

Whether as an accommodation, perquisite, or simply as a way for employers to reduce space requirements and associated costs, telework may likely become increasingly commonplace. Accordingly, employers who permit their employees to telework should develop detailed policies and follow applicable laws, in order to avoid potential legal risk.

Increased Prevalence of Telework