RISK OF WORK FROM HOME EMPLOYEES

Employers are being encouraged to allow or instruct employees to work from home from now and the future. Now that Lockdown has moved to stage three, more people will be at work.

However, there is a risk, in terms of Occupational Health and Safety regulations (COIDA – Injured on duty) that the home of the Employee may be considered to be the workplace of the Employee. Consequently, the Employer may be obligated to ensure that this workplace is also safe and healthy.

A practical way of overcoming this risk is to get the Employee to sign an indemnity agreement in terms of which the Employee indemnifies the employer from Covid-19 associated risks and illness for the duration of the work from home period. During lockdown 3, there will be some over sixty years of age Employees who wish to ignore the guidelines and want to work. The same applies to Employees who have diabetes or similar ailments. Here too, an indemnity form would be prudent.

Please let me know if you would like me to send you a template of this indemnity agreement – click on the link to send an email requesting it https://coemploy.co.za/contact/