Homeworking and Employers Responsibilities

The changing face of business

The rise of homeworking or as its often termed now 'Remote Working' has transformed the landscape of employment in the UK but are an employer's health & safety responsibilities any different?

Remote working is not a new concept, and I recall being able to remote work as early as the turn of the millennium. Industries in the Technology Sector and those needing to travel for their role, have been remote working for many years, so when the Covid Pandemic came along, they were easily able to adapt.

In 2020 remote working was significantly accelerated by the Covid Pandemic for many businesses, local government and education organisations. While some have since returned to workplaces, many have adopted remote working or a form of hybrid working by splitting time between the workplace and home.

Health and Safety Obligations

As more workers work from home, it is crucial for employers to understand their responsibilities regarding health, safety, and well-being.

Employers in the UK have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees, even when they are working remotely. This responsibility is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which mandates that employers must provide a safe working environment. When employees work from home, employers should carry out risk assessments to identify potential hazards. These might include ergonomic issues, electrical safety, mental wellbeing and the overall workspace setup.

Employers should encourage employees to report any health and safety concerns and offer guidance on how to set up their home office ergonomically. Providing resources, such as checklists or online training, can help employees create a safe workspace that minimises the risk of injury.

Arinite have produced a Fact Sheet 0230 – Home Working which is a simple one page guide to assist employers.

Mental Health and Well-being

The mental health of employees is another critical area of employer responsibility. Working from home can lead to feelings of isolation and stress, which can negatively impact an employee's well-being and productivity. Employers should actively promote mental health resources and support systems. This could include access to counselling services, mental health days, or regular check-ins to foster communication and connection among team members.

Equipment and Technology

Employers are also responsible for ensuring that their employees have the necessary tools and technology to perform their jobs effectively from home. This includes providing laptops, software, and any other essential equipment. Employers should also ensure that employees are trained in using these tools and have access to IT support when needed.

Key Risks

Most of the time, risks to remote workers will be low and the actions you need to take to fulfil your responsibilities for the health, safety and welfare, will be straightforward. It is important to keep a balanced and proportionate approach to remote workers health & safety. In most cases you do not need to visit them to ensure you are fulfilling your responsibilities, but you should make sure they have a healthy and safe environment to work in. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have produced guidance which is available on their website.

Data Security

In a remote working environment, data security becomes increasingly vital. Employers must ensure that employees are trained in data protection protocols to prevent breaches of sensitive information. This can include guidelines on using secure networks, protecting devices from unauthorised access, and adhering to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Summary

As remote working becomes increasingly common in many organisations, UK employers may want to capitalise on some of the benefits it can afford both the organisation and workforce.

If you already have remote working or are planning to do so, don't forget to carry out a risk assessment ensuring you consider health and safety risks, mental well-being, adequate equipment, and data security to help create a supportive and productive homeworking environment. Ultimately, prioritising these aspects not only benefits employees, but should also enhance overall organisational performance.

For further guidance on implementing remote work policies, employers may consider consulting legal experts or health and safety consultancy.

Contact us

Arinite clients worldwide appreciate we provide practical, no-nonsense advice about what you need to do to establish and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.

Our team of Global locally based health and safety consultants take pride in keeping health and safety simple.

If you need to call upon our expert assistance, or just for an informal chat, please call our office +44 207 947 9581, or type an enquiry to: https://www.arinite.co.uk/contact-us/.