There is a lack of standard safety precautions when working from home, and the risk of injuries may be higher. Some accidents and injuries may be caused by slippery floors due to water spills from child play or falling off the stairs. A lack of ergonomic office equipment cause workers to experience back, wrist, and shoulder pains because of repetitive movements. Workers’ compensation is insurance that protects employees from job-related illness and injuries. Below is an analysis of why remote businesses need workers’ compensation.
Increased Chances of Work-from-home Injuries
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses embraced work-from-home options to continue their operations. Such changes have led to a considerable debate over workers’ safety and insurance compensation from injuries within the home environment. Working in isolation creates a lack of structured schedules causing employees to overwork. Working from home makes an employee more susceptible to injuries and illnesses. There is a high possibility of long work hours leading to a poor life-work balance.
Many employees working remotely have disrupted sleeping patterns and poor mood balance. The combinations of these vices can cause mental illnesses such as depression. Compensating these remote workers ensures that they have access to medical services and assistance to improve their well-being.
Enhances Productivity
You would not get much work done if you were constantly worried about your safety. However, the assurance that you will get compensation is enough to raise your productivity levels no matter what happens while working. A quick consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney will enlighten you on the need for insurance coverage. Many states require you to offer workers compensation whether your business is inside or outside the traditional office.
Compliance with the Law
Employers have no control over the home working environment bringing the challenge of whether or not to compensate. It is difficult to determine whether a worker got injured while at duty, leaving the need for compensation. However, the courts maintain that lack of control over the home environment is not sufficient to deny employees their claims.
The ruling means that the employer’s responsibility is to ensure their staff has a safe working space. It implies that business owners must protect their employees through workers’ compensation onsite or from remote offices.
Boosts Workers Security
Remote working presents the challenge and susceptibility of cyber-attacks and data breaches. It is paramount for you to ensure workers are using designated devices with proper network configurations and anti-viruses. Providing secure internet will reduce the risk of attacks from home Wi-Fi. Additionally, ensure you have insurance coverage for cyber liabilities. This move comes as a strategic plan to cover both business loss and employees.
Measures of Reducing Telecommuting Risks
The responsibility of workers’ safety lies in your hands
as the business owners. While you may have compensation for your remote workers, there are measures you can take to curb liabilities. Here is what you should do:
a. Establish Work-from-home Policies
The remote working policies will help define expectations and requirements when working remotely. You need to define the roles and regular working hours for your employees. Moreover, you need to clarify the expectations during virtual meetings and progress update procedures. Your employees will agree to a distraction-free workspace and regular work schedule with appropriate breaks and meals provisions.
b. Provide Guidelines for Home Office
The workstation setup is a critical determinant in reducing injuries from repetitive activities. Formulating a guideline on the kind of home setup will help to eliminate body and mental health problems. The guide may incorporate office furniture, chairs, equipment, and lighting.
c. Formulate a Home Safety Checklist
Workers can easily avoid falling, burning, or electrocutions by following a simple home safety checklist. The list may include the following:
– Zero tolerance to system overloading
– No chords are loose or running on the pathways or under rugs
– Chord inspections to prevent fires
– A functional fire extinguisher
– A fire evacuation plan
– Constant monitoring of employees to avoid mental illnesses and overworking
Conclusion
The risk of liabilities skyrockets with remote working jobs, and it is crucial for business owners to minimize the risks. It is also essential to adopt compensation for workers. While remote working is a new concept, you require a lot of guidance and knowledge on the appropriate procedures. Hiring a reasonable attorney will help you understand how to avoid making costly mistakes.
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