Our Guide to Working from Home

Coronavirus or, COVID-19 is continually developing and companies, much like my own, are setting their workers up so they can continue in their roles at home.

It’s important to remember that HSE guidelines states a laptop is a temporary work device and should not be used for full-time work, as the working postures adopted are poor. Fortunately, this can be solved with the use of a separate keyboard, mouse and laptop stand.

We have created a 12-point checklist to ensure that you have everything you need in place, including an adequate workstation set up.

1 – Employer to make sure Employee has a suitable area at home to work.

2 – Employer to make sure employee has/ is provided with:

● Furniture

● Phone

● IT

● Adequate Internet Connection

3 – Employer to check its Insurance covers equipment in the homeworker’s home and a claim from a Third Party.

4 – Employer to carry out a Health and Safety Risk Assessment*

5 – Employer and Employee to agree keeping in touch through:

● Phone/Skype/Email

● Planned Meetings at the Main Office/Base**

● Planned Meetings at the Homeworkers Home**

● Co-Operation with Colleagues

6 – Employer and Employee to agree how often the Employee will attend the main base/office.

7 – Employer and Employee to agree how performance will be monitored and managed.

8 – Employer and Employee to agree any arrangements for claiming expenses, what can be claimed, how, when and what is taxable.

9 – Employer and Employee to agree how often the home working arrangement will be reviewed, and when and where review meetings will be held.

10 – Employer to put arrangements in writing and/or issue a home working policy.

11 – Employer to compile a Consent Form signed by the Employer and Employee detailing the home working arrangement.

12 – Employer to check IT support is in place including what will be provided by who, when and how.

*Please contact Workspace Health for a Risk Assessment Document.

**Due to current Government restrictions, alternative arrangements must be put in place to comply with social distancing guidelines.

For further information on COVID-19 please visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

For further information, please contact us on 01905 700 401 or assessments@workspacehealth.com