Working From Home Megathread

Yes, it is required by law, but that doesn't mean it isn't box ticking. Does it really have any benefit? Are people unable to figure out how to sit at desks at home themselves? Companies do it because they know there are people who would bring a claim against them not because they think it will improve anything.

The recent case where the guy slipped on his doorstep, he successfully argued that he was a "visitor" to the council house he lives in and therefore the council should be responsible for the doorstep. He was awarded 100k, it was successfully appealed in a higher court, so he has to pay it back, but unfortunately he spent 30k of it.

The swing case was a few years ago and MB was arguing that she should have been supervised on the swing and there should have been instructions on how to use it.

A Tipperary playground was closed after claims from 2 adults who were using the swings.

Here is a case in Germany (obviously we haven't had something like this here yet) :

Do we want to live in a country where we can't have WFH as companies are afraid of litigation?

Yeah its a liability issue and to be honest you would be surprised how many people dont know how to sit properly. I didnt say it was anything else. But the location doesnt matter (in an office/remote working). Im more surprised that some people think it is only an issue going forward for remote working and think employers can refuse on that basis under the proposed legislation - that was my question.

exactly there is always a lot of negative comments from people who dont know what remote working is or dont like it. Most workplaces have experienced no issues from remote working while also being fully complaint with laws. I spoke to someone earlier this week whose big concern was phones not being answered if people werent in an office. Tried to explain that we moved to a cloud based system 2 years ago and no longer have actual phones but he was lost. 😅

Yes and I am not joking, I just think that people can figure out how to sit safely themselves.

Yes, I work in an office although I have been WFH during the pandemic. I have had an ergonomic assessment in the office, not at home. I am well aware that the law requires it. I think that the law should be updated for when people are WFH. It should really be the responsibility of the employee to ensure their WFH space is suitable in my opinion. It is impossible for a company to know if your workspace at home is safe at all times, so that is where this box ticking comes in.

Yes, I am aware that many solicitors will say it would be totally impossible for someone to know how to sit at a desk at home unless they are given specific training. Given the society we live in, the legal system, I fully expect there will be cases in the future unless the law is updated.

I think in cases where the employer is fully remote (they have no office), it should be their responsibility to ensure the employee has the correct setup, in terms of equipment and the usual health and safety training. In the case of WFH, I think it should be "opt in", the employee informs the employer that they have a suitable place and equipment and takes on the responsibility of ensuring it is correct. I don't necessarily think the employer should have to take on the extra cost of providing duplicate equipment in the case of WFH being optional and desired by the employee.

As someone who was WFH for 18 months, but who returned to the office around Sept time, I do prefer being in.

We still get the odd day WFH, but to be honest I don't like them as much now, with the only positive being the lack of commute (30min each way).

I think the chances to WFH will be very few and far between in the future, only in special cases, and I'm happy enough with that.

The idea of WFH forever would now be my worst nightmare.

and thats ok for you. There is hude demand for remote working but some people do wish to return to offices. Thats why we have policies and procedures around it.

the vast majority of employment contracts will name a place of work, and give the company the freedom to change that place of work.

yes my named address no longer exists but includes the line about any other location. we dont have assigned office desks aswell

yes hybrid or blended working might suit even more people but the demand is huge. We moved to fully open plan collaborative spaces recently and honestly a lot of staff find it easier and better to work remotely - including my own manager. Remote working doesnt suit everyone and doesnt suit all areas but the demand is huge.

agree thats what prompted by question.

absolutely removing the barrier of location/commute opens workplaces to so many people.

Seperately there seems to be an assumption that everyone can return to an office. They cant. The pandemic hasnt ended (despite what the govt says) and the risk remains high.