Employer's responsibility for the work environment
The Work Environment Act states that the employer is responsible for ensuring that the work environment does not lead to ill health or accidents, even when working remotely. This means, among other things, that:
- The employer must work preventively and identify risks in the work environment.
- Workloads and working hours must be sustainable and not create long-term stress.
- Employees must have the right equipment and the opportunity to work ergonomically.
- Employers must create the conditions for a good social working environment, including for teleworking.
If you work from home, your employer may have limited insight into your working environment. It is therefore important that you report any problems yourself, for example if you have poor ergonomics or experience stress.
What does the law on flexible working say?
The Work Environment Act (AML) states that the employer is responsible for ensuring that work can be carried out in safe and healthy conditions, regardless of whether it takes place in the office or remotely. This means that the employer needs to ensure that working hours are reasonable and that the workload does not lead to ill health or stress.
The Working Hours Act regulates daily and weekly rest periods and the length of working shifts. However, these rules only apply if you have regulated working hours. Some employees are instead covered by a system of flexitime or target-based working time, which means that they can organize their own working hours, but that the needs of the business are always the main driver.
If you work mainly remotely, it may be wise to sign a distance contract. Such an agreement can regulate where you can work from, what working hours apply and whether the employer has to pay for equipment needed for the home office.
When it comes to insurance, there is an important difference between working in the office and working remotely. In the workplace, if you suffer a work-related injury or accident, your employer's insurance will cover you. When working remotely, there needs to be a clear link between the injury and the work for the insurance to apply. In some cases, you may therefore want to review your private insurance.
How to create a sustainable working day
Flexible working has many benefits, but it also requires clear procedures to create a sustainable working environment. By knowing your rights and responsibilities, you can contribute to a safe and productive working day.
To feel good and perform sustainably in a flexible working life, you can
- Set clear boundaries between work and leisure. Define the start and end time of the working day and turn off notifications after working hours.
- Prioritize ergonomics. Make sure you have a good chair, desk and screen - ask your employer for help if needed.
- Schedule breaks. Remote working can make you sit for longer shifts, so take regular microbreaks and get up often.
- Have a continuous dialog with your manager. Make sure your work is visible, even if you are not on site every day.
- Review your insurance policies. If you work from home, it can be important to have private insurance to cover any damage.
Agreements on teleworking
If you work from home on a more permanent basis, there are several things you and your employer should agree on. It may therefore be wise to sign a specific teleworking agreement with your employer, so that it is clear to both parties what rules apply.
Here's a checklist of what a teleworking agreement might include:
- Which operating unit you belong to.
- The scope of the telework.
- When you or your employer have the right to stop teleworking and return to the main workplace and the conditions for doing so.
- when you are expected to work, be available and be free
- What applies to overtime and whether you are entitled to compensatory leave.
- Some clear and measurable objectives that are regularly reviewed.
- What your home workplace should look like and what equipment you need.
- How your work equipment will be insured and what happens if it is lost or damaged.
- What your obligations are to maintain IT security, trade secrets and any confidentiality.