Transformation of labor relations in Ukraine under the influence of martial law and remote employment

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the profound transformation of labor relations in Ukraine under martial law and the expansion of remote employment, accompanied by changes in legal regulation, work organization models, and parameters of social protection. The increasing flexibility of employment is combined with risks of fragmentation of labor guarantees and growing uncertainty, which necessitates comprehensive scientific analysis. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical and applied foundations of the transformation of labor relations in Ukraine under the influence of martial law and remote employment, taking into account changes in legal regulation, work organization, and socio-economic risks. Methods. General scientific and specialized research methods have been applied – analysis, generalization, systematization, comparison, and elements of a structural-functional approach, which made it possible to comprehensively assess changes in labor relations and their impact on the labor market. Results. The approaches to the transformation of labor relations have been studied, and their multidimensional nature has been identified, encompassing institutional, economic, and digital aspects. It has been revealed that remote employment has become a key mechanism for maintaining economic activity and has led to structural shifts in the labor market – increased segmentation, changing competency requirements, and the growing role of digital tools. The necessity of an integrated approach to evaluating the effectiveness of transformations has been proven, combining economic indicators with parameters of social protection and employment stability. Key problems have been identified, including the fragmentation of regulatory frameworks, erosion of labor guarantees, spread of quasi-formal employment, and organizational constraints in managing distributed teams. Conclusions. The expediency of forming a balanced model of labor relations has been substantiated, combining flexibility of work organization with the provision of minimum social guarantees and legal certainty. Prospects for further research are associated with the development of unified methods for assessing the effectiveness of labor relations transformation, analysis of long-term socio-economic effects of remote employment, and investigation of the impact of digital platforms on the institutionalization of modern forms of employment.