🏠 Employers reminded that home workers must also be protected
- HRNews
- Mar 20
- 1 min read
With over a third of workers in Great Britain now working remotely or in hybrid arrangements, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has highlighted that not all employers realise health and safety responsibilities apply equally at home as in the workplace.
Key risk areas to consider include:
Stress and Mental health
Display screen equipment
The working environment.
Employers have the same health and safety duties for home workers as for office-based staff, and the HSE has made clear that this is a legal duty, not optional guidance.
The good news, as Barbara Hockey from HSE's Engagement and Policy Division puts it, is that "you don't need to physically visit someone's home to fulfil your duties. Most of the time, the risks are low and the steps to manage them are straightforward."
The HSE advises employers to pay particular attention to three essential areas: stress and mental health, the safe use of display screen equipment, and the working environment, including accidents, emergencies and lone working. Managers are also encouraged to keep in regular contact with their teams, talk openly about workloads and training needs, and ensure people are not under pressure to work outside their normal hours. Free practical resources are available through the HSE website to help businesses of all sizes carry out home working risk assessments and meet their obligations.
At Lansbury HR, we can help you make sure your policies and risk assessments reflect your legal duties, wherever your people are working. Get in touch to find out more.
Comments