Policies and procedures for telework once the business reopens.

Businesses are expected to ensure people work from home if at all possible, and to take all reasonable steps to support teleworking. Employers have the same health and safety obligations to employees working from home as those in the workplace. Employers should:

• ensure employees have the right equipment (such as remote access to work systems), that relevant guidance is followed, and provide online health and safety training modules designed for working from home – for those working at home on a long-term basis, the risks associated with using display screen equipment must be controlled ,which includes undertaking workstation assessments at home;
• discuss homeworking best practices, and have a homeworking policy – with advice on matters such as screen positioning, taking breaks from display screens and identifying risks – that is communicated to staff;
• look after employees’ physical and mental wellbeing by keeping in regular contact with staff on their working arrangements, and their welfare and personal security;
• include employees in all necessary communications, and help them stay connected to the rest of the workforce.

Employers should also be mindful of data security considerations that arise. In addition to personal data security issues, there are wider categories of information risk, such as in relation to confidential information and trade secrets.