Home Workers

A home worker is an employee whose contract of employment states that their ‘normal’ place of work is their home address. This is where people would expect to contact the employee and where the necessary equipment to carry out their role is available.

Employees who occasionally ‘work from home’ are not classed as home workers.

Employees who have a designated office base but only visit it on an occasional basis or employees who work flexibly are not classed as home workers. Employees who work from home have a responsibility for their own health and safety,

Aspects to consider include:-

Is a dedicated room available as a work area, if not, are the other occupants of the home likely to be put at risk due to equipment being installed/used in this location?

Will children be using this room?

Is there adequate space for the activities that the home worker is expected to perform?

Are the heating, lighting and ventilation systems adequate or appropriate?

Is the furniture appropriate for the work to be undertaken?

If a computer is to be used, consider the most appropriate type of computer (e.g. laptop/desktop) taking into account the role to be undertaken.

Are there any health and safety concerns that need to be addressed?