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I work from home 3-4 days a week, and absolutely have a home office setup. As it falls into the "two or more days per week" category, my home office is consider

by Samon 8y ago

I work from home 3-4 days a week, and absolutely have a home office setup. As it falls into the "two or more days per week" category, my home office is considered a "remote office" by my employer for workplace health-and-safety purposes. This means I needed to take photos, and fill out a declaration that the setup was ergonomically sound (chair, desk/keyboard/mouse/monitor height, lighting, etc), that there werent any dangers/risks around, etc. Certainly no way I could get away with sitting on a couch or at the kitchen table (well I can, I just have to say that I'm not...). Welcome to big corporate CYA!

Tharkun 8y ago
Home office bureaucracy? That's a new one. Is this because your employer mandates it, or is it some kind of government regulation?
- Samon 8y ago
  Employer. The paperwork pretty much covered a lot of what would be required if it were a company operated office, stuff like there being smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, a basic first aid kit, that the work area was adequately sized and in an ergonomic configuration, that all exits from the work area are clear and unobstructed, no slip/trip hazards, that the lighting is appropriate, proper ventilation and adequate heating/cooling, that all electrical cords and appliances are in good order (didn't need to go to the level of 'test & tag' thankfully) and safely secured, etc. It also stated that the company is entitled to send someone to randomly inspect my work area if they choose to... I wouldn't expect this to ever actually occur, it certainly hasn't happened for me in the last 5 years I've been working in this arrangement. I know a number of years back there was a legal case where a big Australian company was ordered to pay the legal and medical costs of an employee who injured herself after slipping down the stairs twice in two months while working from home... so I guess it's not that crazy.

by Samon 8y ago

Tharkun 8y ago

Home office bureaucracy? That's a new one. Is this because your employer mandates it, or is it some kind of government regulation?

Samon 8y ago
Employer. The paperwork pretty much covered a lot of what would be required if it were a company operated office, stuff like there being smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, a basic first aid kit, that the work area was adequately sized and in an ergonomic configuration, that all exits from the work area are clear and unobstructed, no slip/trip hazards, that the lighting is appropriate, proper ventilation and adequate heating/cooling, that all electrical cords and appliances are in good order (didn't need to go to the level of 'test & tag' thankfully) and safely secured, etc. It also stated that the company is entitled to send someone to randomly inspect my work area if they choose to... I wouldn't expect this to ever actually occur, it certainly hasn't happened for me in the last 5 years I've been working in this arrangement. I know a number of years back there was a legal case where a big Australian company was ordered to pay the legal and medical costs of an employee who injured herself after slipping down the stairs twice in two months while working from home... so I guess it's not that crazy.