The trend towards teleworking in Portugal continues to grow, with a significant increase in the number of people opting for this type of work. According to recent INE data, there are now around 882,000 people teleworking, an increase of 5.5% compared to the last quarter of 2022. Several factors have contributed to this increase.

Context of the Teleworking Trend in 2023

The economic and social landscape has evolved considerably in Portugal since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in 2020. During the pandemic, many companies adopted teleworking as a response to mitigate the spread of the virus. The forced paradigm shift allowed organizations to realize the benefits of the modality, which led many companies to incorporate it permanently into their operations even after the pandemic ended.

Sustainability and Challenges

Teleworking is seen as a sustainable measure, helping to reduce the carbon emissions associated with commuting. With fewer people on the roads, air pollution can be reduced in order to protect the environment and public health. It also saves 72 minutes a day on commuting, time that can be invested in other areas, whether personal or professional. According to a study carried out by the German institute IFO, the Portuguese work remotely 0.8 days a week, but would like to work 1.9.

However, teleworking in Portugal also presents challenges that need to be addressed by companies and the workers themselves. One of the main challenges is the need to guarantee an adequate technological infrastructure to enable efficient remote working. In addition, the lack of face-to-face interaction can lead to a diminished sense of belonging and collaboration between team members.

Regulations and Legislation

In response to the growing trend of teleworking, the Portuguese government has been trying to adapt legislation to guarantee the rights and protection of remote workers. In 2023, new laws were implemented to address issues such as the clear definition of working hours, the right to digital disconnection and the reimbursement of expenses related to remote working.

The Portuguese government has also taken steps to support teleworking, such as extending the right to remote working to parents with children with disabilities, chronic illnesses or cancer.

Remote working continues to gain momentum in Portugal, driven by a combination of factors such as flexibility, cost reduction, sustainability and changes in legislation. Although it presents challenges, the practice of teleworking has the potential to improve workers' quality of life and boost companies' efficiency and competitiveness. The evolving scenario of teleworking in Portugal reflects the ongoing transformation of the labor market in an increasingly connected and digital world.