UK Remote Work Tribunals Decline for First Time Since Pandemic

UK remote work tribunals declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to a new analysis. The number of workers in Great Britain taking their bosses to employment tribunals over remote working fell by 13% in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Experts suggest the drop may reflect a tightening labor market that has made some employees more reluctant to leave their roles, despite return-to-office mandates. Additionally, the analysis indicates that improved rights to request flexible working have played a role in the decline.

The HR consultants Hamilton Nash examined records and found there were 54 employment tribunals decided in England, Scotland, and Wales in 2025 that cited remote working issues - down from 62 cases the prior year.

The drop represents a significant shift after years of rising remote work disputes in the UK following the widespread transition to work-from-home arrangements during the pandemic. While many companies have since pushed for a return to the office, the analysis suggests employees may be less willing to challenge these policies in the current labor market.

Experts note that the improved rights to request flexible working, which were expanded in the UK in 2023, have also likely contributed to the decline in remote work-related tribunals. Employees now have a stronger legal standing to negotiate work-from-home and other flexible arrangements with their employers.

The findings provide insights into the evolving landscape of remote work in the post-pandemic era, as companies and employees continue to navigate the new normal of where and how work gets done. As the labor market and legal environment shift, the dynamics around remote work disputes appear to be changing as well.