With home working looking to be required for quite sometime I am somewhat concerned about the ergonomics of the workstations that staff may have available to them. Some staff may have suitable workstations already but others may be working in kitchens, lounges or bedrooms using regular household chairs, which might be fine for the odd day a week, but I am concerned about on longer term basis.
I don't think it is going to be practical to send the chairs or desks from the office to them and obviously when things return to normal we are not going to want a bunch of extra office equipment. This are the possibilities I have thought of so far, any thoughts about these? Any other good options worth considering?
Purchase equipment for staff and sell second hand later to recoup some of the cost
Purchase equipment for staff, then after we return to office working those who wish to keep the equipment, can do so paying tax on the 2nd hand value
Staff to purchase what they want (after being advised of our risk assessment) and claim the cost against taxes directly with HMRC
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"Staff to purchase what they want (after being advised of our risk assessment) and claim the cost against taxes directly with HMRC"
So the staff are buying all this stuff you're telling them they need ?
Very generous.
I think that's only one of a number of potential options, and is one that is unlikely to be a goer.
I think that's only one of a number of potential options, and is one that is unlikely to be a goer.
I'm reading it as the staff claim the cost as an expense, thereby standing (probably) 80% themselves. Even if it's accepted as wholly, exclusively and necessarily, a point on which I have my doubts.
He hasn't numbered his list, but the last three lines are his three alternative suggestions. At least that's how I read it.
OK - well, I still say Option 3 is a free ride for the company and a cost for the employee.
I know at least one member of staff who has purchased a new laptop for the purposes of working from home, would this also be claimable?
Will they ever use it for nonbusiness stuff?
I'm not sure that the health and safety aspect of their own homes and seating arrangements therein are your responsibility as the employer, even if the home working is imposed upon them.
I would think, therefore, that if you still want to ensure their comfort and good working practices, it is on you to make the purchases and accept the returned furniture when all this blows over, or sell it to your staff at market value. I don't think you can tell staff to buy their own furniture from your approved list.
I'm not sure that the health and safety aspect of their own homes and seating arrangements therein are your responsibility as the employer, even if the home working is imposed upon them.
The employer has a duty of care wherever the workplace.
Thanks, I expect you are probably right and if staff were buying their own equipment it would be more so they might be able to purchase something fancier or in a style they prefer. Either way I don't have the budgetary authority in this matter, so before I take this to the director in charge I do want to be quite certain what full range of options are.
I have just found that ACAS have released a document about coronavirus and homeworking, https://www.acas.org.uk/working-from-home
I believe it makes it clear that health safety of their homes are very much our responsibility if we are requiring homeworking, and it appears to imply employers should provide the equipment though not with total clarity.
Are there any other sensible options to consider?
Budgetary authority? Option 3 has a budget of £0.00.
Why just make home working an option now? If it works why not give them the option to work from home on one or two days a week permanently?
It's only our admin staff that can't work from home and we've already geared them up to be able to do so, particularly as they all have children and are affected by the schools closing. We've supplied them all they need to be able to work apart from furniture as this will only be a short term measure (hopefully).
All our other staff have been able to work form home for a number of years and we supply a laptop, work mobile and, if necessary, the furniture. Normally, we like everyone of them to be in the office for two or three days a week but these are unusual times and attendance in the office is only one day on a rota basis, which works out about once a fortnight or so. This will be reviewed as necessary and depending upon Government advice.
Health and safety is an aspect you must consider wherever they're working. I think you're being extremely mean spirited in these unusual circumstances.