LRD guides and handbook August 2015

Working from home - a negotiator's guide for trade union reps

Introduction

Introduction [page 3] (483 words)

Four million people are now homeworkers, according to TUC analysis of the latest 2015 government statistics. Developments in modern technology, most ...
Open access

Chapter 1

1. What is homeworking? [ch 1: pages 4-5] (583 words)

Traditionally, the term homeworker has referred to anyone who worked from home primarily making items, which could be anything ranging from footwear ...
Subscribers only

Why is homeworking on the rise? [ch 1: pages 5-6] (288 words)

The pros of homeworking [ch 1: page 6] (224 words)

The cons of homeworking [ch 1: page 7] (346 words)

Chapter 2

2. Who is a homeworker? [ch 2: page 8] (158 words)

Homeworking is not an option open to all. Shop workers, teachers, factory workers are just some examples of jobs where location is not flexible. Many ...
Subscribers only

Jobs suited to homeworking [ch 2: pages 8-9] (227 words)

Acas: Case study of homeworking [ch 2: page 9] (313 words)

Suitability for homeworking [ch 2: page 10] (131 words)

Skills identified as beneficial to homeworking [ch 2: page 10-11] (269 words)

Caring responsibilities [ch 2: page 11] (66 words)

Chapter 3

3. Flexible working: the legal position [ch 3: page 12] (244 words)

Employees who want to make a request to work from home some or all of the time will need to be familiar with the law on flexible working. ...
Subscribers only

The request [ch 3: pages 12-13] (447 words)

The employer’s response [ch 3: pages 13-14] (354 words)

Appealing a decision [ch 3: page 14] (258 words)

The eight business reasons [ch 3: pages 14-16] (491 words)

Multiple requests [ch 3: page 16] (148 words)

Treating a request as withdrawn [ch 3: page 16] (83 words)

Remedies [ch 3: pages 16-17] (239 words)

Existing work-from-home arrangements [ch 3: page 17] (96 words)

Part-time workers [ch 3: page 17] (56 words)

Discrimination [ch 3: pages 17-18] (289 words)

Working from home and the duty to make reasonable adjustments [ch 3: pages 18-21] (1,495 words)

Are contractual changes needed? [ch 3: page 21] (215 words)

Can homeworking be compulsory? [ch 3: pages 21-22] (396 words)

Trial periods [ch 3: pages 22-23] (154 words)

National Minimum Wage issues for home workers [ch 3: page 23] (279 words)

Chapter 4

4. Managing homeworkers [ch 4: page 24] (27 words)

Homeworkers should be treated exactly the same as office-based staff but inevitably their location means a different approach is needed. ...
Subscribers only

Trust [ch 4: pages 24-25] (464 words)

Measuring performance [ch 4: page 25] (106 words)

Communication [ch 4: pages 25-26] (538 words)

When the homeworker comes into the office [ch 4: page 26] (94 words)

Privacy [ch 4: page 27] (117 words)

Career progression [ch 4: page 27] (86 words)

Acas checklist for setting up homeworking [ch 4: pages 27-28] (384 words)

Chapter 5

5. Covering the costs of homeworking [ch 5: page 29] (188 words)

Employers with experience of homeworking estimate that every full-time homeworker saves them £6,000 to £7,000 each year, according to ...
Subscribers only

Equipment [ch 5: pages 29-30] (493 words)

Household bills [ch 5: pages 30-31] (183 words)

Insurance [ch 5: page 31] (104 words)

Mortgage [ch 5: page 31] (51 words)

Travel costs [ch 5: page 31] (230 words)

Business rates [ch 5: page 32] (162 words)

Tax [ch 5: page 32] (104 words)

Capital Gains Tax [ch 5: page 32] (79 words)

Chapter 6

6. Health and safety [ch 6: page 33] (363 words)

The employer is responsible for the health and safety of employees who work from home as they are covered by all health and safety legislation, ...
Subscribers only

Risk assessments [ch 6: page 34-35] (655 words)

Equipment [ch 6: pages 35-36] (246 words)

Where can you homework? [ch 6: page 36] (142 words)

New and expectant mothers [ch 6: pages 36-37] (88 words)

Sickness [ch 6: page 37] (91 words)

Isolation [ch 6: pages 37-38] (516 words)

Working time [ch 6: pages 38-40] (667 words)

Employee security [ch 6: page 40] (204 words)

Data protection [ch 6: page 40] (134 words)

Chapter 7

7. What to include in a homeworking policy [ch 7: pages 41-43] (1,213 words)

A homeworking policy should be set up in consultation with trade unions and any other key representatives. A formal agreement should explain what ...
Subscribers only

Union representation [ch 7: pages 44-45] (274 words)

Ending a homeworking arrangement [ch 7: page 45] (275 words)

UNISON’s negotiating checklist for homeworking [ch 7: pages 46-47] (299 words)

Further information

Further information [page 48] (66 words)

Useful links ...
Subscribers only