HOMEWORKING
THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE OF BUSINESS RISK The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted a significant shift in traditional working models. Whilst many companies were initially forced to implement remote working for staff, recent research indicates that remote working is here to stay with many companies preparing to adopt a hybrid working model (where most of the time is spent working remotely).
With more staff located offsite, traditional perils, while still representing risk, are less likely to result in a total loss or disruption to business. This is due to the wider geographical spread of risk, as employees & IT equipment are no longer concentrated in one location. However, remote working can also result in new, less tangible risks.
LIABILITY RISKS
Employers retain the same health and safety responsibilities plus duty of care towards their employees, regardless of staff being based offsite. Employees should be provided with the right equipment to complete their work, and it should be set up correctly and well maintained. Electronic devices need to be safety tested and it should be established whether an employee’s home workspace is appropriate with sufficient space, natural light and ventilation. Organisations could see more Employers Liability claims related to musculoskeletal disorders or personal wellbeing where employees maintain they’ve developed these conditions because of unsatisfactory physical working conditions. Completing home workstation assessments (such as Display Screen Equipment or ‘DSE’ assessments) is important and the HSE provides templates to assist employers with this. Company directors face an ever-broadening raft of risks and exposures because of decisions they take; such claims may stem from decisions relating to the management of employee wellbeing. Prolonged remote working can affect health and wellbeing and this issue should not be underestimated. It is essential that there is regular communication between employers and employees.
CYBER RISKS
PROPERTY RISKS
The potential for thousands of Wi-fi routers in employees’ homes across a wide geographical spread, opens new vulnerable access points for cyber criminals and employers should consider this increased exposure.
Many employees have had to take equipment
It is now essential that all organisations (regardless of their size) implement fundamental safeguards to ensure company data and networks remain secure such as:
policy? It is recommended that employees inform their insurer that they are working at home. Policies usually allow for infrequent home working. Most home insurance policies do not automatically cover homeworking, so employees need to check with their providers. Where each home insurance provider may differ is with extending cover to work visits at home. If home visits are to be allowed, and in unlikely event of a trip or slip in the home by a visitor, a commercial office or commercial combined insurance policy may need to be extended to cover employees’ homes. Fewer people working in the office regularly could also have implications for businesses’ buildings and contents insurance, especially if it means the space is semi-vacant or left unoccupied for periods of time. Are systems – sprinklers, security, access control, and fire – being maintained? It’s important to consider any property risk exposures − how they might be changing and what additional controls may be required.
providing advice and information to employees about setting up security on their home Wi-fi;
issuing guidance, developing rules on using
public Wi-fi networks, or preferably mandating employee to use private Wi-fi networks only; ensuring employees only use work e-mail accounts for business and limiting devices or equipment they can use; ensuring that staff are adequately trained, restricting work equipment to business-related tasks only; requiring multi-factor authentication for business apps and networks; implementing a robust VPN infrastructure; reminding employees to be vigilant for possible increases in phishing attempts; having a communication plan for reporting suspected breaches.
home to enable them to do their jobs, and employers need to ensure all work-related property is adequately insured.
Do homeworkers have a household insurance
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