Teleworker expenses: When to reimburse?

Consider implementing a reimbursement policy that lists the conditions under which employees will be paid back for remote-work expenses. Task your attorney with determining the state (and local) laws affecting telecommuter expense reimbursement--they can vary widely.

Examples: An employee who had to upgrade his home internet service to handle extra data requirements may be entitled to reimbursement for those costs. Or you may need to cover the cost of replacing a worker's laptop that is too slow for work.

It all depends on the state laws in effect in locations where your employees perform their jobs. Under federal law, employers only have to reimburse employees if job-related...