Is OSHA going to hold employers liable for teleworkers' home offices?

Dear Concerned:
I am glad you have requested clarification of this little snafu. OSHA really put its foot into it by sending a letter to a Texas credit-services company advising the company it was legally responsible for the safety of its sales executives, whether they worked at home or in the office. This created a flurry of activity back in the other Washington and put OSHA on the hot seat. Charles Jeffress, who heads OSHA, did some fast damage control and issued a statement that the agency will continue its practice of not holding employers liable for work done in home offices and will not inspect home offices as a formal policy.

Questions of employer liability with teleworkers is one of the most frequently asked questions of Commuter Challenge staff. Rest assured that in most cases, existing policies already cover liability. Give Commuter Challenge a call at 206-389-8650 if you have specific questions, but whatever you do, do not look to OSHA for answers! Come to the telework experts instead!

And hats off to you and your company for providing this work option, which is a great help in improving mobility on our highways.

H.O.V.