Although more than a third of workers in Britain now work remotely or in hybrid arrangements, not all employers realise health and safety responsibilities apply equally at home as in the workplace according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Britain’s national workplace regulator is running a campaign to remind employers of the need to assess the risks for all home workers.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in January 2026, 38% of workers were working remotely or in some kind of hybrid arrangement (25% hybrid and 13% fully remotely).
HSE is advising employers to pay particular attention to three areas - stress and mental health, the safe use of display screen equipment, and the working environment – including accidents, emergencies, and lone working. This is a legal duty, not optional guidance.
“Working from home can deliver benefits to both employers and employees," said Barbara Hockey, from HSE Engagement and Policy Division, "but it’s important that employers understand their responsibilities.
“The good news for bosses is you don’t need to physically visit someone’s home to fulfil your duties. Most of the time, the risks are low and the steps to manage them are straightforward and HSE provides free guidance to support you. Practically, this means managers keeping in regular contact with their teams, talking openly about workloads and training needs, and making sure people aren’t under pressure to work outside their normal working hours.
“It also means having simple conversations about the physical environment by asking staff to visually check that their equipment is safe and not damaged, keeping work areas clear of trailing wires or obstructions, and making sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency."
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