Special Report
Virtually working
The keys to an effective home office
By Todd Shryock
Smart Business Cleveland | December 2002
Every day, more employees are working from home.
Those employees often find that being away from interruptions at the office means more stretches of time to spend focused on a task, and employers benefit from the increased productivity.
But how should a home office be set up, and who should pay for equipping it? It all depends on who's pushing for the home office, and how progressive the company is.
"If it's an employee-driven decision, and they have the space and the technology and they want to be at home, then it's probably up to the employee to pay for it," says Jeffery Zbar, author of "Teleworking & Telecommuting." "If the boss says, 'We're in a space crunch and need to clear out 30 percent of the workers on any given day and use space-sharing,' then it may be more incumbent on the employer to pay."
Zbar says the basic set-up will cost $1,000 to $1,500 for a laptop computer, assuming the employee doesn't have one already, plus $40 to $50 a month for a broadband connection.
"Maybe the broadband will be used by the family, so only part of it might be reimbursed," says Zbar.
The furnishings also need to be adequate to work on.
"Don't just grab six cinderblocks and a door," says Zbar. "You need a dedicated office that suits work. You have to have good furniture. Go to an office supply store and buy used furniture.
"Look in the local paper for companies that are having bankruptcy and liquidation sales. You also need a good chair that is ergonomically sound, comfortable and suitable to your needs."
Even though the office space is in the employee's home, the employer should mandate a safe work environment.
"An employee is on the clock in a bona fide telework program, so the employer is liable even when the employee is off site," says Zbar. "If an employee walks into a client's office and tripped and got hurt, it would be a workman's comp issue. It's no different at home.
"If the employee has broken stepping stones and minefields of stuff to trip on and entertains customers at home, it's a real liability issue. What if the client gets bit by the dog, trips or falls? The liability is not only on the employee as a homeowner, but the employer as well."
Zbar recommends employers require photos of the employee's workspace to show that it's reasonably safe and ergonomically sound. How to reach: Jeffery Zbar, www.chiefhomeofficer.com
