Firms urged to support health and safety for home-workers
19th August 2011
Businesses have been advised to focus on the health and safety of staff working from home as they are not exempt from legislation.
An employment law expert said that it is a "myth" that people who work at home do not come under health and safety rules.
Bar Huberman, editor at XpertHR, noted that companies have a duty to protect their employees from injuries and this extends to home-based staff.
"Employers' home-workers have almost the same legal protection as those working from the employer's premises, and regulations require the employer to conduct an assessment of the risks to health and safety to which they are exposed while at work," she explained.
The comments come after a report suggested that tens of thousands of people in London will be asked to work from home during the Olympic Games next summer.
According to an exclusive published in the Evening Standard, employees across the city's top banks will be advised to work remotely or do flexible hours so that they do not put pressure on transport services.
Organisers are believed to be "desperate" to avoid bottlenecks on the public transport system and fear that the 100,000 workers in the Canary Wharf area will cause a bottleneck.
In addition, the evening newspaper reported that staff working in other key areas such as Stratford, Victoria, Waterloo, London Bridge and King's Cross may also be asked to stay at home.
"Where an employee works from home, this means the employer needs to establish that the home environment is suitable for work," Ms Huberman said.
"Suitability includes things like space, workstation, monitor and arrangements for storage, and it might, depending on the role, involve sending health and safety inspector to the employee's home."
The expert said that staff also have a duty when it comes to health and safety legislation.
"Home-workers are still required to report accidents and employers need to train employees in their reporting procedures," she concluded.
Back to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion News
Related Inclusion News
How can firms make working easier for older staff members?
16th May 2013
Posted by Richard McKenna
Employers could be checking their workplace inclusion policies to see i...
Improving workplace inclusion during government cuts
15th May 2013
Posted by Richard McKenna
Employers are likely to find their finances are under strain at the mom...
What can firms do to tackle rising youth unemployment?
10th May 2013
Posted by Richard McKenna
Employers are likely to be thinking about ways to bring young people in...