Working From Home Long Term
Moving to long term work from home (WFH), whether permanent part-time or full-time, requires additional planning and mutual agreement to ensure safe and efficient operation.
General Principle
The general principle for staff working from home should be that the quality and safety of the work environment, equipment and practices at home should be the same, as far as reasonably practicable, to those achieved in the office.
We believe two key things are required:
Business case and formal agreement between parties; and
Home-specific health and safety requirements.
Business Case and Agreement
The arrangements should be monitored and terminated or amended if necessary. Consider the following:
Documented business case eg showing how WFH will benefit the business and the worker, and what work can be done efficiently from home.
Responsibilities of both parties eg who to provide office furniture and equipment, payment of heating and lighting etc.
Flexibility of work hours eg shopping or picking up children.
Performance management and supervision.
Safe and ergonomic desk set-up.
Safety of the environment/home
Shared and dedicated workspace.
Training and meetings.
Emergency arrangements eg first aid, security, raising alarm etc.
Mental health and support eg loneliness, stress, counselling.
Inspecting and maintaining a safe workplace.
Escalation of health and safety concerns.
Agreement on payment of home office expenses including; provision of chair and desk, power consumed, wear & tear, and repair of any damage to home?
Signed agreement with review timing or expiry date.
Home Safety Plan
Health and safety for permanent or simi-permanent arrangements need to match company office standards, per a documented home safety plan which would typically include:
Safe location eg consider flood or bushfire prone areas and evacuation plan.
Safe house eg security, door locks allow emergency exit, smoke detectors, fire plan, unobstructed exits.
Safe workspace and shared spaces eg no slip or trip hazards including shared spaces such as bathroom, kitchen and corridors.
Safe electrics eg all equipment in good condition, safety switch at switchboard.
Safe workstation eg correct ergonomic set up.
Adequate lighting meets AS 1680: Interior Lighting eg >300Lux or task light provided.
Thermal comfort maintained per AS 1668 eg between 20°C and 26°C or provide fans or heaters.
Inspections eg daily pre-start checks, monthly checklist, annual checklist to supervisor.
Hazard reporting eg use company online hazard reporting system.
Emergency response plan incl. first aid kit, raising alarm.
Managing Emergencies in Office with Less Staff
It is worth noting that as more people work from home, long established preparedness in the office, like adequate numbers of fire wardens and first aiders may be threatened.
Train Everyone in Emergency Roles
We know some businesses have had to change from a strict warden structure to training everyone to be able to “step-in” during an emergency eg to assist with first aid or building evacuation if needed.
Other Resources
Government Codes:
Working from Home Guidance, NSW Gov, 2023
Remote and Isolated Work, WorkSafe Qld, 2022
Health and Safety for Working from Home, WorkSafe Qld, 2020
Working from Home Safety and Wellbeing Checklist, Vic Gov, 2024
Safety Action Fact Sheets:
