Comments on: The OHS of Working from Home remains problematic

By: skillr01

skillr01 — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 03:00:17 +0000

Kevin,
Yes, I have heard similar stories in NSW and actually provided advice to a client regarding a fall at home – very difficult to ascertain whether the worker was ‘actually” working at the time?

By: Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 01:42:20 +0000

In reply to skillr01.

Russel, there are some workers’ compensation claims and legal action currently in Victoria, so I have heard, about an incident when a homeworker drive to the shops for lunch, and had an incident. Lunchtime was during work hours.

Also, I have heard a rumour about someone trying to claim falling down stairs as they “journeyed” from “home” to their “home office”.

These rumors may turn out to be apocryphal but the lack more clarity from OHS regulators is not helping.

By: skillr01

skillr01 — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:16:27 +0000

Certainly a vexing question Kevin- and the problem is, when something goes wrong, will the employer be deemed accountable?

By: mikecraig

mikecraig — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 22:40:27 +0000

Yes it’s an interesting conundrum – where does the responsibility lie, what precautions in place, do you do regular audits with the WFH staff, what about if a staff member is injured but it’s not work related but they claim it was in the course of doing work from home..etc