This Working from Home Policy can be used to implement a process for managing working from home requests, along with ensuring that any approved employees are working in a safe and productive manner. This policy can also be used to clarify employee obligations around taking personal leave and the return of company property in the event of an employee ceasing employment.

Use this Policy if:

• You need to establish clear procedures for working from home requests;

• You want to ensure that the home working environment for any remote employees is safe, and that key risks which might impact employee health and safety have been considered and managed;

• You need to have clear expectations in place for employees who do work from home, including expectations around the security of confidential information, compliance with IT procedures, and availability during work hours;

• You would like to ensure that employees are aware that the existing terms and conditions of their employment continue to apply while working from home; and

• You want to establish that working from home practices are subject to approval and may be revoked if appropriate.

What does this Policy cover?

• The process for requesting working from home arrangements;

• The right to ask employees to complete an assessment of their working environment to ensure a safe and healthy working environment;

• Clarifying key employee expectations around work health and safety, the use of company equipment, compliance with security and IT processes or policies, compliance with company directions and performance while working from home; and

• Notification processes for employees who need to take personal leave, and the return of Company property on termination of employment.

Further information:

• Remote working: how to introduce it to your business

• Employer responsibilities for staff working from home

• COVID-19: Can employees be directed to come into work?

• Working From Home Versus Working Remotely: Key Differences