With the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of companies have allowed employees to start working from home. How does this then affect the employer’s responsibility for their employees? Especially in terms of the health and safety of each employee.

The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act defines the workplace as any place where a person performs work for the employer.

Employers, therefore, have a legal obligation, as far as reasonably practicable, to ensure the home office is safe. The same requirements apply to the home working environment as to the formal office space.

If an employee is injured at work, regardless of whether work is in an office or at home, they may be entitled to compensation. This becomes complex in the working from home scenario because it is difficult to define which parts of the home are considered “work”.

Working from home policies needs to be developed, defining a scope of boundaries with requirements for a safe, working environment.

CONTACT CAPE LABOUR.

For more information about maternity leave or any other labour law advice or services. Please feel free to contact us at Cape Labour Consultants and we will gladly assist you. Cape Labour & Industrial Consultants is a Cape Town-based providing Labour Law (Industrial Relations) and advice to employers and employees across all market segments and industries since 1987.

For more information or to Contact Cape Labour. You can find all of our relevant details here.
W.Tel no.: 021-423-3959
Cell: 082-433-8714
Fax: 021-4232105
E-mail: bernard@capelabour.co.za
Website: www.capelabour.co.za