Mitigated working conditions regime
Working conditions legislation classifies working from home as “location-independent working”. A “mitigated” working conditions regime applies to working from home and other location-independent working, which relieves employers of certain obligations relating to working conditions. However, employers still have to ensure that their employees have an ergonomic workplace.
Specifically, this means that if employees work from home, the employer has to see to it that they have an ergonomic workplace unless that would place unreasonable demands on the employer. That would be the case if, for example, employees only work from home occasionally and/or for a brief period, although the latter obviously does not apply in the current corona situation. At the same time, we feel that it would be going too far to expect employers to have arranged a fully set-up ergonomic workplace for all employees as soon as they are ‘in home quarantine’, particularly those employees who hardly ever work from home. The longer employees are forced to work from home, however, the more the employer may be expected to do.
If employees do not have an ergonomic workplace, the employer is obliged to provide the equipment they need to create one. Examples of such equipment include a monitor, an office chair and a keyboard.
The employer is responsible for any reasonable expenses incurred for setting up the workplace. There are tax schemes available for this which, in principle, make it possible for employers to provide equipment tax-free. One option available to employers is, of course, to allow employees to take their office equipment home on a temporary basis.
And employees?
Given the statutory principle of being a good employee, employees are also required to make the most of working from home. Slightly more flexibility will be expected of them and they will also have to think about any needs they have when setting up the workplace, thus preventing injuries.
Juridisch advies nodig?
Kom in contact met een van onze arbeidsrecht advocaten of mediators.
Conclusion
Employers’ duty of care to set up a workplace extends beyond the office. So, employers in the Netherlands: make sure that your employees have a good workplace and provide them with the necessary assistance in this regard.
CLINT | Littler’s do’s and don’ts
Together, employers and employees can do what’s needed to make working from home as pleasant as possible. The CLINT | Littler team is now also working from home and it has drawn up a list of do’s and don’ts:
- take the time you need to set up a good workplace at home. Make sure you have a good office chair and a second monitor if necessary;
- structure your working hours: start and end your working day at fixed times. Begin the day with a digital team meeting, for example;
- take enough breaks;
- get up and move around or exercise regularly;
- use your employer’s IT equipment instead of your own in order to prevent security risks and data breaches;
- make arrangements with your partner and your colleagues about care and home schooling for any children you may have;
- make sure that you have enough social contact, albeit at a distance;
- discuss any problems you may have so that a solution can be found.
