Impact of the Pandemic on Labor Relations - Remote Work and Its Specifics in Georgia

ABSTRACT: The paper aims to study the impact of the pandemic on labor relations and the specifics of legal regulation in Georgia. The study examines the legal regulation of the organization of the remote work process due to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of sudden termination of labor relations, aggravation of working conditions, and radical change to the conditions agreed between the parties, and other similar circumstances. The research attempts to identify what problems, questions, or unclear circumstances may be faced by both the employee and the employer; to what extent is the result of actions in labor relations consistent with labor legislation during the pandemic; whether the legislation of Georgia allows orientation during the mentioned period; and whether there are any norms in the labor legislation of Georgia that may directly or indirectly relate to the regulation of remote work. The challenges and gaps that became very relevant in the labor legislation of Georgia during the pandemic of 2020 are highlighted. At the end of the study, the ways of solving the gaps identified in labor relations and legislation are presented, as well as the elimination mechanisms for their application in reality, based on the example of the world response. Recommendations are presented to strengthen and improve the labor legislation of Georgia with more positive elements. KEYWORDS: labor law, remote work, Georgian legislation, labor relations