During the pandemic, pregnant workers have been advised to follow strict social distancing to reduce the risk of severe illness from coronavirus. Employers and employees should be practical, flexible and sensitive to each other's situation when working from home because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Covid Working From Home Survey includes carefully crafted questions and one-click dynamic reporting to help you better understand your data. ACAS should be shut down and a new up to date service provider who will do a better job. You are probably being spied on by your boss ... senior advisor at Acas, the government-backed Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service said. Or can they be more flexible? Every Mind Matters and One You can help with expert advice and practical tips. Benefits of Home Working There are many benefits to home working. It has also become more difficult for people to get away from the person abusing them (the ‘perpetrator’). This includes temporary homeworking because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and longer-term homeworking arrangements. 1. An increasing number of workers are working from home. Employers have a legal duty of care to their employees and should: See guidance on looking out for signs of domestic abuse on GOV.UK. Performance management. Optional phrases / clauses are enclosed in square brackets. 26 March 2020 #Other. For example, because of changes to government rules or employees’ circumstances. This includes temporary homeworking because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and longer-term homeworking arrangements. In many workplace settings, it is hard to distinguish idle chit-chat from meaningful dialogue. While working at home during the coronavirus pandemic, people might be experiencing problems such as: It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience will be different. Employers should review risk assessments regularly to make sure employees’ working environments at home remain safe and healthy. join free Acas webinars on coronavirus workplace advice Health and safety By law, employers are responsible for the health and safety of all employees, including those working from home. Start the fightback to a healthier you today. Select the statement you most agree with: Supporting mental health in the workplace, Dealing with a problem raised by an employee, Checklist for setting up working from home, Please tell us why the information did not help, I cannot find the information I'm looking for. Get our Covid Working From Home Survey. One of the biggest changes resulting from the coronavirus pandemic has been the switch to working from home. The Home Working Policy is one of a number of policies under the Work Life Balance initiative. We know … Working from home You may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if you have to work at home on a regular basis, either for all or part of the week. Be more organised and offer up to date advice. During this time, many employees will be under a lot of stress juggling caring responsibilities with work. Latest advice on the furlough scheme's extension. Code Of Practice - Handling In A Reasonable Manner Requests To Work Flexibly. Good practice at work . in Scotland, see Scottish Government advice on working from home; in Wales, see Welsh Government advice on working from home; Deciding on working from home arrangements. Further advice on employment rights is available on the Acas website or by calling the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100. working from home; changing their working hours; being placed on restricted duties; working under supervision; being transferred to a different role within the organisation (the role should be of a similar status to their normal role, and with the same terms and conditions of employment). They should also tell their manager about: any physical or mental health and safety risks. Flexible Working. By law, employers are responsible for the health and safety of all employees, including those working from home. Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said: "The coronavirus outbreak is impacting all of our working lives at the moment. Working from home? https://bit.ly/2AmWWK4 See More Latest HR … Ideally, employers should also follow Acas advice to consider more flexible homeworking arrangements such as working different hours, reducing the number of hours or days worked, reducing work targets, and being flexible about deadlines where possible. All employees should be made aware of the policy and be able to access it. The ACAS guide Homeworking – a guide for all employers and employees sets out what ... working from home - for example does homeworking mean that an employee must work and be available during core business hours? See you there. This could include asking employees to carry out a self-assessment of their workspace and equipment. Employer responsibilities During the coronavirus pandemic, it's very unlikely that employers can carry out usual health and safety risk assessments at an employee's home. 5 A document showing what to include in a policy for staff working from home. They wouldn’t have a job if we didn’t have work issues. There should be enough space for work to be carried out comfortably. Example checklist for employers and employees to use when setting up homeworking. Anyone working from home should keep in regular contact with their manager. ACAS Working from home guidance. Employee responsibilities. If you have a question about your individual circumstances, call our helpline on 0300 123 1100. People experiencing or perpetrating domestic abuse can contact organisations including: If you like, you can tell us more about what was useful on this page. Home working and managing employees that work from home including the legal implications and resolving difficulties ... for example, by involving Acas or another mediator, or - if your procedure was incorrect, or your decision based on incorrect facts - by going to an Employment Tribunal. We cannot respond to questions sent through this form. Working from home and caring responsibilities. The Acas working from home guidance also offers support around employees’ responsibilities when working from home; how to support individuals’ mental and physical health; providing equipment and technology; pay and terms and conditions; employees’ expenses; childcare arrangements; and any issues that arise through insurance, mortgage or rent agreements. ACAS working from home during coronavirus pandemic PAYadvice.UK 23/11/2020 And for people who are in work, really a lot of the same as you do for anybody else about making it COVID-safe, so that they are less likely to be, you know, to catch this horrible virus because it's, you know, not something that we want any employees to come down with. Acas has published some guidance to help employers and employees with some of the challenges of home working. Only if all other options are not practical, may suspension become necessary. By Adrian Wakeling on 23 Aug 2017 in Working from home, Acas, Flexible working. Key points for employers to note include: supporting employees to help them adjust to remote working and discuss how their homeworking arrangements can be improved; considering the needs of individual employees. If changes are needed to make sure an employee can work at home in a safe and healthy way, employers are responsible for making sure they happen. For example, of the 514 individuals who completed the employee survey conducted for this study, 46% worked from home on a regular basis. Since the COVID-19 outbreak began the government has urged people to work from home where possible. Training courses for employers. Acas encourages people to work together effectively, and aims to promote good practice in the workplace as well as helping to resolve disputes. Acas. Working from home looks set to be a part of many people’s lives for some time to come. Set up a designated workspace. Overview. Please contact Acas on 0300 123 1150 for information on future events. For many businesses, managing people remotely is a new challenge. Or, fill in our enquiry form. Employers and employees should be practical, flexible and sensitive to each other's situation when working from home because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. There might be a need for ongoing changes to working arrangements during the pandemic. Working from home is no longer the alien concept it once was; more and more workers across an eclectic mix of industries will have at least one day a week working from their home ‘office’. If the employer is not able to carry out a full risk assessment due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, they should provide their employees with information on working safely at home. OpenDocument Text (ODT) format. For many, the benefit comes from a better work/life balance, but other advantages include increased employee productivity and motivation as well as ‘green’ benefits. 2013. Above all, employers and employees are encouraged to be practical, flexible and sensitive to each other’s situation. Alexandra Beauregard, Kelly Basile and Esther Canonico (LSE Enterprise) For any further information on this study, or other aspects of the Acas Research and Evaluation programme, please telephone 020 7210 3673 or email research@acas.org.uk . Aims and objectives 1.1 This policy is intended to provide guidance and good practice to enable employees to work from home effectively and safely. Tools, Templates and Resources. Ref: 10/13. In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we could see numbers soar to unprecedented levels as more people switch to temporary homeworking. Since the COVID-19 outbreak began the government has urged people to work from home where possible. Homeworking - a guide for employers and employees. Much work carried out at home is going to be low-risk, office-type work so any risk assessment will consider: The home working environment. Working from Home Policy 1. Training Courses, Workshops and Projects. A home worker risk assessment must assess the suitability of space. Find out more about working from home during coronavirus, Working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. 13 January 2021 09:30 - 12:30: Flexible working: how to handle requests (England & Wales) - digital event After 26 weeks of employment, employees have a statutory right to ask to work flexibly. Employers and managers should talk together with their employees and: During the pandemic, there has been an increase in domestic violence and abuse. Where home working is being newly introduced, or expanded, the employer should ensure that the health and safety implications have been considered (including health and safety risk assessments) and that the necessary infrastructure is in place. 10 top tips for working remotely. And it’s available now. Help and advice for workers and employers on rights and obligations at work. Employees should check there are no issues with them working from home, with their home insurer, mortgage provider or … Acas training for managers, line managers, supervisors and HR professionals in workplace relations can boost an organisation's productivity and profitability, increase motivation levels and ensure less conflict arises in the workplace. ... and how employers and employees can assess whether it is a sound option in office-related roles or arrangements where home would be used as a base for travel. Acas provides guidance and support on how to organise shift work, and flexible working generally, in the booklet Advisory booklet - Flexible working and work-life balance [347kb] as well as training on Health, work and wellbeing issues. Guest Contributor: Susan Clews, Acas Chief Executive (Written on March 24, 2020) Figures from the ONS show that the number of people working from home doubled between 2008-2018, to 1.5 million. Published on: 26/03/2020. Acas has published new guidance for employers and employees on issues to consider when working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find more guidance on domestic abuse from GOV.UK. Employers must conduct a risk assessment of their employees’ work activities, including any work from home. The right to request flexible working: an Acas guide. Advice for employees and employers during the redundancy process – including redundancy pay, notice and appeals. If you have a question about your individual circumstances, call our helpline on 0300 123 1100. . By Adrian Wakeling on 23 Aug 2017 in Working from home, Acas, Flexible working There are hidden benefits and drawbacks to flexible working arrangements, new research from employment adviser Acas finds. New Acas Guidance on Working From Home. Homeworking - a guide for employers and employees. Select the statement you most agree with: Supporting mental health in the workplace, Dealing with a problem raised by an employee, Working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, Please tell us why the information did not help, I cannot find the information I'm looking for. Steps for employers and employees to take when setting up working from home. Home; Advice and Guidance; Tools, Templates and Resources; Training Courses, Workshops and Projects; Careers; Contact us ; About us; Acas newsletter; Using this site; Help & advice for employers and employees Advice A-Z . Pregnant workers. 12.6 Acas attaches significant importance to the evaluation of its services. Redundancy. 20 March 2020. They should develop it in consultation with employees and any trade union or employee representatives. There are many attractions, for employers and employees alike, in having a work from home programme. The Acas top 5 topics in free online advice. Working from Home Policy 1. Checklist for setting up working from home Example checklist for employers and employees to use when setting up homeworking. Acas agrees to share the outcome of that evaluation with you. Acas’ recent study of that experience included surveys and interviews with its staff. Aims and objectives 1.1 This policy is intended to provide guidance and good practice to enable employees to work from home effectively and safely. Employers setting up homeworking because of the coronavirus pandemic can also use the homeworking questionnaire from CIPD. Visit the Acas Training Courses, Workshops and Projects area for more information. For employers, Acas recommends that they check the details of their insurance to make sure they are covered for an employee working from home if they are using business equipment. While you might not miss your daily commute, it does guarantee that you leave the house at least once during the day. Employees have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety at work. Contact us . Early Conciliation . All Acas events on Flexible working (digital) for all regions: Click on an event for more information and to book places. Make use of the resources on this page to help support your staff to continue to work from home. ACAS Working from home guidance. If you’re planning to survey your employees on remote working, we can help you with that. The Acas working from home guidance also offers support around employees’ responsibilities when working from home; how to support individuals’ mental and physical health; providing equipment and technology; pay and terms and conditions; employees’ expenses; childcare arrangements; and any issues that arise through insurance, mortgage or rent agreements. Code Of Practice - Handling In A Reasonable Manner Requests To Work Flexibly. 2: HOMEWORKING A GIDE FOR EMPLOERS AND EMPLOEES: Throughout the guide, a legal requirement is indicated by the word “must” – for example, employers must carry out … Employers should make clear what support is available if an employee is experiencing domestic abuse, such as: Employers should consider having a domestic abuse policy. Details This template is not designed to cover temporary homeworking arrangements because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but it can be adapted for that purpose. #Other. sample-homeworking-policy-acas.odt 14KB. We’ve created a ready-to-run survey that does all the hard work for you. Above all, employers and employees are encouraged to be practical, flexible and sensitive to each other’s situation. Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest advice for employers and employees. Working Time Directive - ECJ judgement - September 2015. Employers should check insurance also covers them against a claim by a third party. New Acas Guidance on Working From Home. It will evaluate services following delivery based on completed evaluation forms. OpenDocument Text (ODT) format. Acas has published new best practice guidance on working from home as more employers ask staff to avoid workplaces amid growing coronavirus concerns. 3.2. Find out more about what employers should do from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Employees have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety at work. Furlough and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Send in your requests using # AskAcas in your tweet. Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest advice for employers and employees. Please do not include any personal details, for example email address or phone number. Please see the following information from ACAS. Our remote training courses can help employers learn … Working from home Employers and employees should be practical, flexible and sensitive to each other’s situation when working from home because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. #AskAcas on Twitter . Acas advice on working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Adrian Wakeling, senior policy adviser, looks at the key messages for employers. Our helpline advisor Chau will be online to answer your questions. What is specifically required for each employee will depend on the job, the duration of home working and what specialist equipment may be … Got a question for Acas? The government’s public health advice is to work from home where possible to help prevent the spread of the virus within the wider community. Longer-term changes to working arrangements, Preparing for homeworking during coronavirus questionnaire from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), what employers should do from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), looking out for signs of domestic abuse on GOV.UK, managing and supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse on the CIPD website, domestic abuse toolkit for employers on the Business in the Community (BITC) website, Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), Time off because of a mental health issue, any physical or mental health and safety risks, any working arrangements that need to change, for example because of caring responsibilities, stress, anxiety, loneliness or other mental health issues, feeling unhealthy as they’re not able to take their usual exercise, finding it harder to switch off from work, feeling pressure to work while ill (‘presenteeism’), physical pain because they do not have the right working equipment, for example musculoskeletal problems caused by an unsuitable chair and desk at home, look after their mental and physical health, for example by getting support and doing regular exercise, manage their work-life balance, for example by having clear start and finish times, have the necessary equipment and information to work safely, encourage sharing of any problems they may have, not make assumptions about what support might or might not be needed, agree on what support may be needed, for example if an employee with a disability needs, support someone who is experiencing domestic abuse, keep a record of incidents at work and when employees report domestic abuse, and any actions taken, finding a way to communicate safely, for example by text message if calls are not possible, or a different email address if their email is being monitored by the perpetrator, agreeing on a code word or hand signal for someone to use to alert others that they’re experiencing domestic abuse, arranging another place they can do their work instead of at home, time off, for example to attend support appointments, helping the person get other appropriate support, a clear commitment to taking the issue seriously, the support available for employees and managers. Home is where the work is: A new study of homeworking in Acas – and beyond. If you like, you can tell us more about what was useful on this page. Independent public body Acas has published new guidance on working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. The right to request flexible working: an Acas guide. Employers are responsible for the safety of their employees even if they are working from home. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has set out the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees when working from home, in response to government advice for many workers to stay away from the office. Acas publishes coronavirus home working advice. Anyone working from home should keep in regular contact with their manager. Acas is the employment relations service for England, Scotland and Wales offering practical, independent and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives. Working from home shouldn't mean you stay cooped up indoors all day. Find out more about working from home during coronavirus. Did you get the information you need from this page? Neurodiversity in the workplace. In this module you will see how we can respect each other and our differences at work, and why it’s so important to do so. This 3-hour digital event will give an essential overview of the law and good practice, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to confidently manage employees working from home. Please do not include any personal details, for example email address or phone number. 1.2 The policy is intended to assist both managers and employees in implementing working from home by highlighting areas for As homeworking rises across the globe, businesses are presented with new issues to manage. In addition, Acas or its research contractor may approach you to carry out a further evaluation of the impact of the training at a later date. 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