Working from Home
More employees are working from home than ever before. According to a recent Gallup report, 43 percent of the 15,000 workers surveyed spend at least some of their week working from home. Remote employment has taken off, especially in the finance, real estate, and insurance industries.
For employers, the benefit of allowing employees to work from home are substantial. Studies show employees who work from home are more engaged and satisfied than those who spend every day in the office. The reduction in office space saves larger companies millions of dollars in overhead costs. Working from home has some unique challenges. The following are some simple tips to make your work-at-home experience rewarding and productive.
Keep Track of Your Time
Your employer is required to keep track of the time you work from home. Using a system that works for you, track your hours and compare them with your employer’s records to ensure your paycheck is correct. Several easy-to-use apps are available for tracking productivity.
Protect Your Data
Both you and your employer must work together to protect sensitive data you access and transmit from home. Your employer should provide a secure network and a laptop or PC to be used only for work purposes. Follow your IT supervisor’s procedures to access and use company equipment and data from home.
Take a Break
Short breaks of 20 minutes or less count as payable work time. So, take a break, grab a cup of coffee, or stretch every few hours. Keep in mind, excessive breaks are not permitted. Check your employer’s break policy to make sure you are compliant
Understand Your Benefits
Certain work-at-home employees, like freelancers and independent contractors, do not have the same benefits as full-time employees who work from home. Find out if your company offers medical coverage, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and stock.
Certain workers are also eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits for injuries that happen while working at home, provided they occur during the course of performing your job duties. It is important to report a work-related injury or illness to a manager or human resources specialist as soon as possible, should you decide to file a claim.
New Brunswick Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Harold J. Gerr Protect Work-at-Home Employees
Over the past 10 years, the number of men and women working from home has increased more than 100 percent. Employees who work from home have the same protections as men and women who go to the office every day. Because work-at-home Workers’ Compensation cases are especially complex, it is important to contact the New Brunswick Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr if you believe you have a valid claim.
We will review all documentation related to your injury to determine if you have a valid Workers’ Compensation claim and help you achieve the best resolution possible. Call us today at 732-537-8570 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our offices are located in Highland Park, New Jersey, and we proudly serve clients in New Brunswick, Edison, East Brunswick, Middlesex, Sayreville, Metuchen, South River, South Plainfield, Fords, Old Bridge, Iselin, Passaic, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
