The COVID-19 pandemic brings with it unprecedented challenges for individuals, the health system and for business. Health and Government authorities are recommending social distancing and self-isolation in certain circumstances and business are responding by supporting working from home. With this comes responsibility upon employers to ensure that workers have a healthy and safe home office.
Employers should be aware that the duty of care to workers extends to their home office and is inclusive of workstation ergonomics, work hours, physical access to the office and the environment. This responsibility was highlighted in a precedence-setting legal case in 2011 when a Telstra employee was awarded significant damages following a fall at home (Hargreaves vs Telstra).
As such it is worthwhile asking employees to complete a home office self-assessment and guiding them to establish a safe environment and healthy work habits. There are several inexpensive ways that employees can accommodate themselves with a safe and productive home office and meet the standards expected and outlined by their employer.
Please get in touch if you’d like a free copy of Back On Track’s home office self-assessment tool at info@bot.orionwebsites.com.au
At this moment, Back On Track is operating under a business as usual model, available for workplace assessment, home visit and in rooms assessment. However, like all Australian businesses we will adapt to the changing circumstances and will be available for telehealth consultations to deliver a range of services including:
- Medicolegal assessment
- Initial needs assessment
- Ergonomic assessment
- Modified functional capacity evaluation with second stage in-person assessment at a later date
- Home office assessments and advice
- Education via video conference/webinar to support working from home safely