Tips for Reducing Workers' Compensation Claims for Remote Workers

In today’s changing world, many more employees are now working from home. It can be difficult to monitor or control the safety precautions in the remote work environment. However, employers can take steps to reduce their workers' compensation liability. Follow these tips to help improve the safety of the remote work environment and reduce potential injuries:
 

• Create an at-home work or telecommuting policy and make it clear that working at home requires strict adherence.
• Require employees to create a dedicated work area at home and provide evidence (i.e. photo, video, or an on-site visit) that the area has been set up according to employer specifications. Establish periodic follow ups to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Clearly state the work activities that are permitted to be completed during the telecommuting arrangement and delineate other responsibilities to be completed in the physical workplace.
• Establish clear working hours and break times to help reduce the potential liability for accidents that occur any time of the day or night.
• Install task monitoring software to record the employee’s computer activities. The program can help to identify when the computer was being used or when it was idle.
• Implement technologies that automatically track and report on a remote employee's location and physical safety. These wearable technologies can locate employees on demand, and the technology can also serve as emergency panic buttons.

If you have questions about worker's compensation issues, please contact Jennifer McDaniel or another member of our Worker's Compensation Group. To see all our resources related to COVID-19, visit our Coronavirus Resource Center.

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader should consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader’s specific circumstances.