How to manage homeworkers

Author: Claire Birkinshaw

Summary

Click on any of the hyperlinks to go to more detailed guidance below.

• Bear in mind the potential advantages to both employers and employees of homeworking arrangements.
• Understand the statutory right to make a flexible working request and handle any requests in a reasonable manner.
• Consider agreeing a trial period for the homeworking arrangement.
• Check whether changes to terms and conditions of employment will be necessary and ask the employee to agree to these before commencing homeworking.
• Specify the hours of work, and the days that the employee is permitted to work from home.
• Set out the equipment that you will provide to the homeworker and ensure that they know how to use it.
• Agree who will bear any costs arising from the homeworking arrangement.
• Specify who is responsible for insuring the equipment used by the homeworker.
• Arrange for a risk assessment of the homeworker's environment and activities.
• Provide appropriate information and systems security protection.
• Consider the employee's caring commitments, if relevant.
• Make sure that systems are in place to communicate with the homeworker and to provide information and support.
• Set out provisions for the possible termination of the homeworking arrangement.