WFH: Policies + Considerations Beyond the Pandemic
Webinar
July 8, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many employers and their employees to abruptly adopt work-from-home arrangements. Although the relaunch of the Alberta economy is underway, employers and employees have become accustomed to remote work and “Zoom” meetings and the continued emphasis on physical distancing means many employers will likely continue to have large numbers of employees work-from-home. In addition, although the pandemic forced employees into the work-from-home experiment, many have found benefits in the arrangement and may have a desire to continue to work-from-home even after physical distancing is no longer required.
Given the necessity and abrupt adoption of the work-from-home arrangement, some employers may not have had the opportunity to consider issues like the protection of company property and confidential information, privacy, overtime and hours of work, and “home” workplace health and safety. Many employers also do not have policies or conditions of employment that address the “new normal” of working from home. As working from home is likely to be the reality for many employers and employees, at least for the foreseeable future, these issues should be addressed.
Join former partner Ayla Akgungor and Jason Kully as they review the legal and practical considerations of a work-from-home arrangement and provide recommendations for managing employees who are working from the comfort of their home. Ayla and Jason will address:
- What should be included in a work-from-home policy?
- How should an employer protect its confidential information, as well as the privacy of employees?
- What are an employer’s obligations for an employee’s health and safety while they are working from home?
- What obligations do employers have to accommodate employees with children or disabilities?
- How should employee’s hours and productivity be managed?
- What are some practical ways that employers can make working from home effective and efficient?
Original broadcast: July 8, 2020
Questions? Contact Joanne at jluk@fieldlaw.com