Vandana Nath and Graeme Lockwood
The purpose of this study is to examine the practical and legal complexities associated with tele-homeworking in the context of the UK Equality Law. First, the paper provides a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the practical and legal complexities associated with tele-homeworking in the context of the UK Equality Law. First, the paper provides a background to the recent growth of tele-homeworking as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, outlining the tenets of the UK Equality Act 2010 and referring to additional legislation pertinent to the ensuing discussion. Second, illustrative case law relevant to the UK Equality Law is put forward to demonstrate the potential challenges that employers and employees might encounter with continued and longer-term tele-homeworking arrangements. Third, the paper outlines implications for employers and human resource managers in terms of policies and practices that might shape the nature of the employment relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a review of the literature and an examination of UK case law applicable to tele-homeworking, taking into consideration equality, diversity and inclusion concerns in the workplace.
Findings
Remote working can be beneficial to both employers and employees. However, there are a number of significant concerns surrounding the management of tele-homeworkers in the aftermath of the pandemic that can act as a stimulus for legal disputes around discrimination, infringement of human rights and breach of contract claims. Several policy implications surface from the analysis that relate to equality and fair treatment associated with both current and future work arrangements.
Originality/value
The paper is significant in offering legal insights into how the UK Equality Law relates to the complexities associated with the management of tele-homeworkers. The study also highlights how return-to-office undertakings might need to consider wider legal issues. COVID-19 and its repercussions have demanded the reorganisation of work, which can give rise to a greater possibility of legal challenges and the study highlights the importance of employers undertaking an evaluation of their equality practices and complying with the legal framework.
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Graeme Lockwood and Vandana Nath
The purpose of this paper is to examine the practical and legal complexities associated with tele-homeworking arrangements in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In particular…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the practical and legal complexities associated with tele-homeworking arrangements in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the study focusses on organisational practices and outcomes relating to the monitoring and surveillance of employees. Drawing on relevant UK legislation and illustrative case law examples, the study demonstrates the challenges and legal implications associated with tele-homeworking.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a review of the literature and an examination of the EU and UK laws applicable to various employer and employee concerns that stem from tele-homeworking.
Findings
Tele-homeworking can be advantageous to both employers and employees, however, there are a number of growing concerns surrounding the monitoring of such workers. Developing technologies can act as a catalyst for legal disputes and the advances in workforce monitoring and surveillance reveal the complex challenges faced by both employers and employees. The indiscriminate monitoring of staff can result in claims of violations to the privacy rights of workers, breach of contract and discrimination claims. Several policy implications associated with monitoring tele-homeworkers surface from the analysis, including the need to ensure that any proposed surveillance is legitimate, proportionate and transparent.
Originality/value
The paper is beneficial in providing legal insights into the topical and continuing complexities associated with the monitoring of tele-homeworkers. The exogenous shock of COVID-19 has demanded the reorganisation of work. The extensive and developing capabilities that employers have at their disposal to engage in employee monitoring, give rise to a greater possibility of legal challenges by workers. The study serves to draw attention to various surveillance concerns and highlights the importance of employers undertaking an evaluation of their monitoring practices and complying with the legal framework.
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Weerahannadige Dulini Anuvinda Fernando
This paper takes a social constructionist approach to explore how highly skilled women workers in Sri Lanka manage gender stereotyping in their workplaces. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper takes a social constructionist approach to explore how highly skilled women workers in Sri Lanka manage gender stereotyping in their workplaces. The purpose of this paper is to contribute new insights into existing understandings of women's careers in diverse socio‐cultural contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on one‐to‐one in‐depth interviews with 24 Sri Lankan women in early, mid and late career.
Findings
The findings reveal how the women in this sample used eight strategies to navigate through the various gender biases they perceived to impact on their careers. The implications of respondents' actions are highlighted.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the limited literature on women's careers in South Asia and develops existing understandings of how women's actions contribute towards maintaining and/or redefining the gender biases they encounter (see Powell et al.). Furthermore, the empirical findings highlight differences in the ways women from public and private organisations manage gender biases, while illuminating the differential impact of gender stereotypes on women in early, mid and late career.
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Vishal Shukla, Sudhir Rana and Sanjeev Prashar
This paper aims to explore the capabilities of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in enhancing the tourism experience and addressing physical travel constraints.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the capabilities of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in enhancing the tourism experience and addressing physical travel constraints.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted among 412 tourists who had used VR and AR technologies for tourism purposes. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, multidimensional scaling, multiple regression analysis, structural equation modelling and mediation and moderation analysis.
Findings
VR and AR enhance tourism via immersive experiences. They overcome traditional travel barriers, but accessibility concerns, like cost, persist. The perceived potential of these technologies strongly predicts future adoption, emphasising the need to highlight their immersive benefits.
Research limitations/implications
This study offers ground-breaking insights into VR and AR in tourism. It acknowledges inherent limitations in accessibility, with VR and AR technologies not being universally adoptable due to costs and complexity. Theoretically, the research enriches academic discourse by highlighting the pivotal role of perceived potential in technology adoption. It also delineates the intricate relationship between VR/AR experience, satisfaction, destination image and revisit intention.
Practical implications
The findings emphasise crafting immersive VR and AR experiences for differentiation. By integrating these technologies into strategic marketing, organisations can enhance customer satisfaction and provide richer destination experiences.
Social implications
The research underscores VR and AR’s potential to foster inclusive tourism, benefitting those with limitations. Additionally, promoting cultural exchange and sustainability, these technologies can drive societal harmony and contribute to economic growth through enriched tourism experiences.
Originality/value
This study stands out in its distinctive exploration of VR and AR in the tourism domain. The innovation lies in its comprehensive examination of the technologies’ immersive capabilities and their accessibility challenges. The value is accentuated by its insights, which bridge the gap between technological potential and its practical application in tourism.