Disaster Recovery Journal Fall 2024

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Balancing Duty of Care in the Remote Work Era T he way we work has changed dramati cally, with remote work becoming the norm for many employees. While this shift has brought flexibility and convenience, it has also complicated the concept of duty of care,

BOB ARNOLD, MBCI Hon.

need to understand and address the safety concerns that come with these diverse work environments. Increased Risks in a Remote Work World With more employees working from various locations and the rise in natural disasters, the over all risk to organizations has increased. The more spread out the workforce, the harder it is to ensure everyone’s safety. Additionally, keeping communi cation and coordination seamless during emergen cies becomes more challenging. To manage these risks, companies should: 1. Assess risks thoroughly : Understand the specific challenges of remote work, including the safety of home offices and the risks associated with other remote locations. 2. Set clear guidelines : Create clear policies that outline the responsibilities of both employers and employees, including how to report safety concerns and what to do in emergencies. 3. Provide training and support : Offer training on safe remote work practices, mental health resources, and guidance on disaster preparedness for remote workers. 4. Leverage technology : Use tools that help keep track of remote workers’ safety, facilitate real time communication, and send out emergency notifications when needed. 5. Regularly update plans : The remote work environment is always changing, so it’s essential to regularly review and adapt risk management strategies to keep up with new challenges. Conclusion Remote work has changed the landscape of duty of care, making it more complex but no less impor tant. Employers must take a proactive approach to protect their remote workers, ensuring they are safe, supported, and prepared for any risks they might face, no matter where they work. By staying flex ible and adapting to these new challenges, organiza tions can fulfill their duty of care and create a safer, more resilient workforce.

which is the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. When employees work from home or other remote loca tions, the lines of this responsibility can become blurry. This raises important questions: How can we better protect our remote workers? Does an employer’s responsibility change if an employee works from home instead of in a traditional office? How does the increased risk from natural disasters play into this? Understanding Duty of Care in Remote Work Duty of care means employers must provide a safe working environment, whether that’s in an office or at home. Traditionally, this was straight forward; employers had control over the office environment and could ensure it met health and safety standards. But with employees now working from home or other remote locations, the situation becomes more complicated. Employers still have a responsibility to ensure remote workspaces are safe, but they have less con trol over these environments. This means organi zations need to be proactive in helping employees set up safe home offices and provide the necessary resources and support. Liability: Home vs. Office Liability doesn’t vanish just because an employee is working from home. If an employee is injured while working remotely, the employer could still be held responsible, especially if they didn’t take steps to help the employee create a safe workspace. This could include providing ergonomic equipment, conducting risk assessments, or offering training on safe remote work practices. Remote work can take place anywhere – from home offices to cafes or even different countries. Each location brings its own risks, and employers

PRESIDENT bob@drj.com

6 DISASTER RECOVERY JOURNAL | FALL 2024