How to limit workers' comp liability for employees who are working at home.

After the pandemic ends, remote work will become a more lasting feature of the employment landscape. So it's time that you formally assess the employment law risks. That includes addressing workers' compensation-qualifying injuries that occur at employees' homes.

It is entirely possible for remote employees to hurt themselves while working in their own homes. Are such injuries covered by workers' comp? The specific circumstances of the injury make that determination.

4 best practices

These best practices can help reduce your organization's risk of workers' comp claims by teleworkers:

1. Establish general telework rules. Ideally, you should establish rules for your remote employees in advance. When the coronavirus emergency began in the spring, chances are you didn't. The shutdowns came and workers did what they needed to do to keep working. But that doesn't absolve you of your responsibility. Don't wait. Put a telework agreement in place now.

   Online resource Download our free sample remote work agreement at www.theHRSpecialist.com/telecommuting-agreement.

2. Set rules for home workstations.

   You should require a separate workspace even if no separate room is available. A separate desk should be the minimum requirement.

   Mandate basic safety precautions such as using surge protectors, bundling cords to reduce tripping hazards and using an office chair to minimize ergonomic stress. (Be prepared to pay for some of the necessary equipment.) Request photos of the set-up.

   You may also want to require teleworkers to only take phone calls, check emails or respond to text messages while at their workstations.

3. Set a formal schedule. Teleworkers should work and take breaks on a regular schedule. Consider having them sign out when not directly performing work. Reason: Injuries that occur while engaged in personal...