From Forced Teleworking to Sustainable Hybrid Working: Proposal for a Theoretical and Regulatory Framework for Latin America

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the structural fragility of Latin American organizations and underscored the urgency of rethinking work models beyond physical presence by revealing persistent tensions between productivity, well-being, and sustainability. The objective of this study was to propose a theoretical-normative framework to guide the sustainable transition toward hybrid work models in Latin America, integrating the principles of multiscalar well-being, adaptive equity, and institutional sustainability as foundations for responsible organizational transformation. Through a narrative review and an abductive analysis of literature, the study identified that the main barriers to the sustainability of hybrid work lie in structural and normative deficiencies, as well as in the lack of articulation across individual, collective, and institutional levels. The central finding indicates that a multiscalar approach grounded in distributive justice, collective care, and ethical responsibility is essential to redesign Latin American organizations that are more resilient, inclusive, and aligned with the contemporary challenges of work.