The number of workers in Great Britain bringing employment tribunal claims over remote working fell last year for the first time since Covid hit, according to an analysis of tribunal records.
The drop comes as some employees appear more reluctant to challenge return-to-office demands in a tighter labour market. Experts say rising unemployment may be making workers less willing to leave jobs, even where they are unhappy with office mandates. Improved rights around flexible working requests may also be playing a part.
There were 54 employment tribunals decided in England, Scotland and Wales in 2025 that cited remote working, based on an analysis of records by the HR consultants Hamilton Nash. That was down 13% compared with 2024.
The figures mark the first annual fall in such cases since the pandemic reshaped work patterns and led many employees to push for more home working. While remote work remains a contested issue for employers and staff, the latest data suggests the number of disputes reaching tribunal is now easing after several years of post-Covid pressure.
The decline may not mean that disagreements over working from home have disappeared. Instead, it could indicate that workers are increasingly choosing not to pursue formal action, especially where the employment market feels less favourable.
At the same time, the right to request flexible working has become more established, which experts said may be giving some employees another route to seek arrangements that suit them without escalating disputes to tribunal.
Even with the fall, the issue remains significant for employers navigating hybrid and office-based policies. Return-to-office rules continue to shape workplace relations, and the tribunal data suggests that remote-working disputes are still present across Great Britain, even if fewer are now ending up before judges.
