Adapting ILO Occupational Safety and Health Standards to New Challenges: Remote Work and Hybrid Employment Models

Abstract

The spread of remote and hybrid employment models, intensified by digitalisation and the COVID-19 pandemic, has reshaped labour relations and raised new challenges for occupational safety and health. Existing ILO standards and EU directives were primarily designed for centralised workplaces and therefore require adaptation to decentralised and digital forms of work. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of current ILO OSH standards in the context of remote and hybrid work, identify emerging risks, and propose recommendations for updating international and regional frameworks. The research applied philosophical, dialectical, analytical, and inductive methods to examine the relevance of ILO conventions, EU directives, and collective agreements. Findings show that while ILO Conventions No. 155 and 187 provide a strong foundation, they lack clarity for home-based environments. EU Directives 89/391/EEC and 90/270/EEC remain relevant but insufficiently address psychosocial risks. Trade unions increasingly fill these gaps through provisions on equipment, working time, and psychological support. The study concludes that adapting OSH standards requires clarifying employer obligations, integrating digital and psychosocial risks, and fostering social dialogue to ensure safe and sustainable remote and hybrid employment.