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Industrial Relations and Working from Home in Germany during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Laszlo Goerke

    (Institute for Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU), Trier University)

  • Yue Huang

    (Institute for Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU), Trier University)

  • Viola Hilbert

    (Institute for Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU), Trier University)

  • Markus M. Grabka

    (German Institute for Economic Research (DIW)c and SOEP, Berlin)

Abstract

We investigate the role of industrial relations for working from home during and after the COVID- 19 pandemic in Germany. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) for the years 2020 to 2023 and a special COVID sample (SOEP-CoV) for 2020 and 2021, we examine how collec- tive bargaining and plant-level co-determination are associated with the incidence and frequency of working from home. Controlling for worker, firm, occupation, and industry characteristics, we find that employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement are less likely to work from home and do so less frequently than uncovered employees. In contrast, the incidence and frequency of working from home are positively associated with the presence of a works council.

Suggested Citation

  • Laszlo Goerke & Yue Huang & Viola Hilbert & Markus M. Grabka, 2026. "Industrial Relations and Working from Home in Germany during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IAAEU Discussion Papers 202604, Institute of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU).
    • Handle: RePEc:iaa:dpaper:202604
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J52 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation
    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions

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