Hi everyone,

I understand that an employer is responsible for WHS when a formal arrangement exists for an employee too work from home, but what about informal situations where an employee regularly works from home? I am thinking particularly about teachers.

I don't know how the State education system work, but I know in private schools there is an unwritten expectation that teachers will do work at home, such as marking, curriculum preparation and writing reports. Doing some or all of this at home is the only way many teachers can actually complete their work.

I suspect most schools are careful not to formally require their staff to do this, but they all know it happens. At certain times of year teachers will be doing an extra 10-20 hours per week at home.

My question is, are the employers (schools), legally responsible for the health and safety of the teaching staff working from home in such circumstances?