If you work from home, you also have certain rights and obligations in the home office. You can find out what they are here.
- Many companies are switching to Home Office * because of the corona pandemic .
- This is a new situation for many employees.
- Workers should know your rights * when working from home.
Working in the home office: you can ...
At home in the home office, a workplace, chair, internet access and a telephone must be available. After all, the boss and colleagues must also be able to reach you.
If the home office is set up correctly, you can start. How and in which outfit you work is up to you, because dress regulations do not apply in the home office . So if you want to hold a conference call in your pajamas or incorporate some yoga exercises, you can do so.
However, you may not simply go to the hairdresser or doctor in between, because the company's core working hours also apply in the home office. Exception: you have agreed something else with your boss.
By the way: If you injure yourself while working in the home office, you are also covered by statutory accident insurance here. However, the insurance does not come up in all cases. On the way from the workplace to the toilet or the kitchen, for example, the statutory accident insurance does not apply, reports Arbeitssrechte.de.
More on this: Falling stairs in the home office - does that count as an accident at work?
... and you have to pay attention to that in the home office
Believe it or not, the boss can come to your house and check whether everything is okay with your work place. Because just like in the office, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG) and the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) apply in your home office, reports the legal protection side ARAG. Your employer must therefore be able to ensure that you do not endanger your health at home. Because if he does not comply with these regulations, he acts in an unlawful manner. However, he has to register a visit beforehand.
Find out here:
Corona pandemic - do i still have to come to the office?
In the home office, you must also keep your company's business and trade secrets. For example, important business documents such as customer data must be protected from third-party insight. This applies to visitors as well as to your partner or the children. Therefore, do not leave any documents open on the desk .
Good to know: You should definitely bill for concrete costs for professional calls in the home office . Work equipment for working at home is also usually provided by the employer. If you find deficits here, you should speak to your boss - together you will definitely find a solution.
Working on the go: does that count as working time?
Commuters who have a long commute can check their e-mails on the go , edit documents or make business calls. But does this count as working time? Definitely: yes. Employees don't even have to prove this work, reports the TV magazine Galileo. Billing is based on trust. But be careful: You should rather have confidential conversations in the office or in the home office, because internals must not be revealed outside.
More on the subject: This is the biggest mistake that employees make at the home office.
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide central Ippen editorial network.