working from home - policies
Discussion
We are looking at implementing working from home - will be computer based work.
We have the technical solutions but we are unsure where to look for sensible working practice/policy guidelines.
e.g. how much of a health and safety audit is required? What is best practice to ensure working time directive conditions are met etc.
any advice greatly welcome.
cheers
FG
We have the technical solutions but we are unsure where to look for sensible working practice/policy guidelines.
e.g. how much of a health and safety audit is required? What is best practice to ensure working time directive conditions are met etc.
any advice greatly welcome.
cheers
FG
Eric Mc said:
Are you talking about having staff based in your home?
No, current office based staff being allowed (an ultimately encouraged perhaps?) to work in their own home with a work supplied laptop with work picking up any internet usage costs (or indeed some sort of business broadband deal).cheers
FG
thewave said:
Do they have target/performance related objectives?
That way you can evaluate or compare to previous work done.
yes - monitoring their performance is not necessarily an issue. We're more concerned with what level (if any) of working space provision we have to provide them in their own home.That way you can evaluate or compare to previous work done.
cheers
I work from home for FTSE100 company. I spend perhaps 2 days a week home owrking, the rest on the road or visiting clients.
My employer has me complete a brief H&S training module (good posture at desk, chair settings, how to lift etc) and a questionnaire once a year.
The questions include asking for details of my workspace, chair, desk, position of monitor, if I copy type - all the sorts of stuff which might cause problems and which would be covered off if I worked in an office.
They've never done a site visit, although my boss does visit from time to time. I have an office, so I'm not sat by my bed using a bedside table.
I'm not aware of any requirement for my employer to provide workspace, although office equipment and furniture is supplied if I want it.
My employer has me complete a brief H&S training module (good posture at desk, chair settings, how to lift etc) and a questionnaire once a year.
The questions include asking for details of my workspace, chair, desk, position of monitor, if I copy type - all the sorts of stuff which might cause problems and which would be covered off if I worked in an office.
They've never done a site visit, although my boss does visit from time to time. I have an office, so I'm not sat by my bed using a bedside table.
I'm not aware of any requirement for my employer to provide workspace, although office equipment and furniture is supplied if I want it.
It may sound stupid but I would also consider advising your staff to inform the council and their home insurance.. Hopefulyl someone with more of an idea will verify that. But I was just thinking to protect you from any employee who falls foul of say their house insurance and moans at you for it.
we should be OK as far as council tax is concerned as we are similar to this scenario...
voa website said:
5. A teleworker formerly employed by a large national company in a call centre now works for the company five days a week at home, using a spare bedroom to house an office desk, telephone consul, computer terminal and chair all supplied by her employer. Her hours are flexible but generally the room is used for the purposes of work at least 40 hours each week. During evenings and weekends it is used by other members of the family for leisure purposes, and by the taxpayer for doing domestic chores such as ironing. No physical alterations have been made to the property other than installation of new telephone lines, and no members of the public or work colleagues visit the house for business purposes.
Our assessment: Rateability will not arise unless equipment of a non-domestic sort is installed or the property is physically adapted for the business use. This is because the character of the room remains as domestic living accommodation, and the purposes of living accommodation may include recreational and leisure use and work. Also the taxpayer uses furniture and equipment of the kinds that are commonly found in domestic property.
http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/public_fact_sheets/working_from_home.htmlOur assessment: Rateability will not arise unless equipment of a non-domestic sort is installed or the property is physically adapted for the business use. This is because the character of the room remains as domestic living accommodation, and the purposes of living accommodation may include recreational and leisure use and work. Also the taxpayer uses furniture and equipment of the kinds that are commonly found in domestic property.
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