Guide aims to help employers implement 'teleworking'

An increasing number of people are working away from a traditional office environment, often helped by modern technology, and a new guide launched today by government aims to help employers understand their responsibilities.

Following new rights introduced recently, the Department of Trade and Industry expects some 400,000 people every year will join those on flexible working. Often assisted by modern IT, at least 2.2 million people in the UK work away from the office - a number that has increased by 65% in the last four years.

Launched during Work-Life Balance Week, the guidance on 'teleworking' has been produced by the CBI, TUC and CEEP UK (which represents public sector employers) and has been agreed at a European level as part of the Social Dialogue process.

The guide covers the following issues:

• health and safety – risk assessments;
• allowances, taxation and expenses;
• human resources - recruitment, training and career progression;
• personal support, to ensure employees do not become isolated;
• information security

Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "Modern information and communication technologies are changing the way UK business works. Telework, using technology to work away from the traditional office environment, has the potential to bring a wide range of benefits to both employers and employees and it is important that these benefits are realised and exploited fully."

The new guidance sets out legal requirements and examples of best practice and aims to help business and employees consider all related issues and how flexible working can best be implemented in their organisation.

Since April 6, 2003 parents of children under six, and parents with disabled children under 18, have the legal right to get their employer to consider flexible ways of working.

New mothers can now take six months paid maternity leave, with another six months unpaid leave if they want it, and new fathers get two weeks paid paternity leave for the first time.

Copies of the guidance can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/er

The UK is one of the first European Union countries to implement the joint teleworking agreement reached by the European social partners - UNICE, ETUC and CEEP - in July 2002.

(SP)