Are Telecommuters Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?

With more people working from home, it is no surprise that people are curious about workers’ compensation policies. If you are an employee, then you are still covered under your employer’s workers’ compensation policy, even when you aren’t in the office. If you are performing work-related tasks, you are covered. The only time that you do not have coverage is if you stop working to do something for your benefit.

Ask yourself these two questions when deciding if you have workers’ compensation coverage.

Does Your Employer Have Work-From-Home Policies and Guidelines?

Some employers have guidelines for their work-from-home employees. They may outline how your workspace should be organized and may even provide training on workstation setup and the safety measures involved. If you spend most of your day typing on a computer, then you may need to have an ergonomic desk chair to help prevent any stress injuries. Your employer may also set specific work times and rest periods If you have work hours defined, then you cannot claim an injury that occurs outside of your work hours.

Did the Injury Occur While You Were Performing Work-Related Tasks?

You have to determine whether the hazard was work-related or not. Several different hazards are the same at the business’s office and the home office. If you are suffering from a repetitive stress injury from typing or any other movement, then it is business-related. If you trip over a drawer while you were trying to get to the phone to answer a work-related call, then this accident may still be covered because you were working at the time of the injury. It is your boss’s job to provide you with a safe work environment. Even though you create your environment at home, if he or she does not have any guidelines, then you may still be able to receive workers’ compensation.

Nowadays, there are more telecommuters than before. More people are learning how to navigate working from home. Whether you are at the office or working from home, if you are an employee of a business, the company is still liable if you are injured while at work. Your home office is no different than an office in a corporate building. If you have a workers’ compensation case, it is more difficult to prove it when you work for home, so make sure to consult with work injury attorneys, like from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C., to figure out your options.