Why you need a Home Working Policy

The bad winter weather we experienced this year has drawn attention to the need for employers to  have Home Working Policies in place to ensure they are maintaining their responsibility for a safe working environment.

When a member of staff is working from home it is effectively an extension of the office, and there are several issues to be considered including:

• Health and Safety, in particular the work station, but also making sure no activities are undertaken that put the employee at risk.
• Data protection, security of personal details and appropriate storage and disposal of sensitive documents.
• IT security.

There are a variey of unplanned situations that may lead to an employee requesting to work from home, as well as formal agreements, and a Home Working Policy can be developed to cover them.  It should also include information about communication procedures, to make sure that the scope of work is agreed in advance and to keep the member of staff involved and motivated.

Hardwick HR can help put a policy in place for your company.