Impacts Of COVID-19 On The Labor And Real Estate Markets

• Published date: 12 August 2020
• Subject Matter: Real Estate and Construction, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Real Estate, Operational Impacts and Strategy
• Law Firm: Schoenherr Attorneys at Law
• Author: Mr D'niel Gera and L'szló Krüpl

Listen to our podcast (in Hungarian)

How do we maintain a successful home office set-up now that home office is ubiquitous? What occupational safety requirements must be met by employers on returning to the office? These topics and more are discussed in Schoenherr Hungary's podcast (in Hungarian) led by two of our legal experts D'niel Gera, counsel and L'szló Krüpl, head of real estate.

The COVID pandemic and the state of emergency have changed the circumstances for working from home in most European countries including Hungary. It seems that most companies have taken challenges posed by these working circumstances and have successfully overcome them, transitioning into smooth-running home office arrangements. This set up has worked so well, in fact, that many if not most companies still plan to maintain it in some form At the same time, returning to the traditional office environment imposes tasks on employers for stringent occupational safety measures to be met, with unavoidable changes to some measures, and the introduction of further rules. What are the legal challenges of transitioning to home office and returning to office D'niel Gera, head of labour and employment at Schoenherr Hungary emphasises that home office is neither remote work, nor does it qualify as a posting as per traditional definitions of labour law. Thus, precise provisions for what constitutes the work place in case of home office requires definition - drafting. Practical questions arise. Who pays for the increased consumption of energy or other conditions for work in the case of home office? What are the obligations of...