Working From Home: What Employees & Employers Need to Know – UK Version Training Course

The number of people working from home continues to rise, with over 8.7 million in the UK alone. This shift brings potential improvements in job satisfaction, productivity, and reduced office space, further accelerated by recent global events. However, it also introduces significant legal concerns for employers who must apply UK law requirements to a growing network of homeworkers.

Employers must act promptly to meet these legal obligations and ensure homeworking is conducted safely and in line with the law. This course outlines the essential legal requirements for employers, including compliance with the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. We'll also cover The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, emphasizing the necessity of robust health and safety risk assessments. Legal obligations extend to ensuring that all work equipment is safe, well-maintained, and used by adequately trained employees. Employers must also undertake DSE assessments for any screen-based equipment and address duty of care liability, both moral and legal, to protect all employees from physical and mental harm.

This course provides a detailed guide on how employers can comply with these regulations, from responding to homeworking requests within three months to conducting thorough risk assessments of the employee's home workspace. We'll discuss managing risks from personal equipment, updating work contracts, and ensuring continuous support and communication to maintain employee well-being. Moreover, we'll explore how employees can fulfill their responsibilities, such as checking with landlords or mortgage providers and addressing any issues raised in risk assessments. We'll also highlight potential business rate charges and the importance of maintaining a safe work area.

Ultimately, successful homeworking policies must support employees' mental health and comply with duty of care obligations. Regular meetings, clear performance metrics, and reliable IT support are crucial. By adhering to legal requirements and implementing best practices, companies can reap the benefits of homeworking, such as reduced office space costs and increased job satisfaction, while mitigating risks and ensuring compliance.