Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
After reaching top of climb; Operations notified myself and the Captain via ACARS that the flight release was not signed prior to departure. Earlier; during our crew brief; the Captain asked if I had reviewed the release. I answered in the affirmative. He said he would print it out via the iPad app due to our COVID-19 procedures. This is 'our' usual work-flow due to COVID procedures - we each review the release on our iPads individually and then discuss any concerns prior to the Captain signing and printing the release from his iPad.Technology challenges that are being experienced due to COVID-19 procedures. [We] are used to reviewing the release on screen together and Captain's sign via a network computer. Using the iPad is not as reliable.We should not be sent a final manifest unless the release has been signed. I'm not sure if the work-flow for the manifest being signed includes steps completed by operations/dispatchers; or if it is automated through the system ramp agents use; but add a 'checklist' step that checks for a signed release would 100% prevent this from happening in the future.
Air carrier First Officer reported being notified that the flight release had not been signed prior to departure. The FO stated that technology challenges as a result of COVID-19 procedures contributed to the event.