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Your Business Needs a Remote-Work Policy (Even After COVID-19)

August 24, 2021
 With the Federal approval of Coronavirus vaccines 2021 has been a somewhat different year from 2020. However, the effect of the coronavirus lock downs and the limitation of workplace access and in person gatherings still lingers. As businesses begin to look forward to reopening and maybe even rehiring, they may find they are still faced with a workforce that has become accustomed to remote working and its benefits. There is also the consideration that all efforts and expenses put in to allow a business to function using remote office spaces for their employees should not go to waste.

When attempting to address remote working as a normal practice there are some important things to consider for businesses. Without a single location, making sure employees adhere to the rigorous nine to five, may blur the understanding of employee responsibilities and can even cause confusion about legally defining employees vs independent contractors. In order to protect itself from potential legal fall out from any confusion or misunderstanding between employer and employee a business might consider setting out such issues in clear written format, specifically policies for remote workers. 

 Written policies set out clear and enforceable explanations of employer’s expectations so issues of employer dissatisfaction or employee conflict are not misinterpreted as part of an unwritten rule. While such things are often set out during in-person training or by on site office management when working remotely such possible lapses in policies are more difficult to observe and address. However as a pinch of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so to providing written expectations of remote workers can prevent mismeeting of day to day work expectations that are often taken for granted in an in person work place. 

 Policies for employees can often address many of the following issues:

• Time sheet marking and recording
• Means of communication during work hours (what is appropriate, what methods do you need to have knowledge of, and which video conference software the company prefers to use)
• Chain of command structure and who to turn to with different types of issues
• Remote workstation security
• Determining at home workplace expense reimbursements

If you are interested in discussing the applicability of policies for remote workers for your business, employee contracts or other legal questions for your business, you are welcome to call Limitless Law PLLC at 360-685-0145 to schedule a consultation.

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