Health and Safety Executive Reminds Employers They Are Responsible for the Safety of Home Workers

HSE Reminds Employers of Legal Duties Toward Remote Staff

Employers reminded they’re responsible for safety of home workers.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a statement reminding employers that they are responsible for the safety of employees who work from home.

It says employers must pay particular attention to three essential areas: stress and mental health, the safe use of display screen equipment (DSE), and the working environment – including accidents, emergencies, and lone working. This is a legal duty, not optional guidance.

What Employers Must Do to Protect Home and Hybrid Workers

Barbara Hockey, from HSE Engagement and Policy Division, said: “Working from home can deliver benefits to both employers and employees but with more than three in ten workers now working remotely or in a hybrid arrangement, 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.”

Free Resources for Employers

Free, practical resources are available at hse.gov.uk to help businesses of all sizes carry out home-working risk assessments and meet their obligations.

Home and Hybrid Working Trends

Home and hybrid working is now found across almost every sector and business size. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in January 2026, 38 percent of workers in Great Britain were working remotely or in some kind of hybrid arrangement (25% hybrid and 13% working fully remotely).

Please contact us if you would like more advice about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of employment law.

Need Advice on Employer Obligations?

While we do not provide Health and Safety (H&S) services, our Employment Law team can help your business understand its legal responsibilities, review policies, and ensure your approach to managing home and hybrid workers is compliant and robust.

Contact our Employment team for tailored advice for your organisation.

About the Author

David is a solicitor-advocate with higher rights of audience since 2014. He qualified as a solicitor in 2013 and joined Machins in 2019 after over a decade at BT and two years at a City law firm. David advises on all aspects of employment law and has represented clients in more than 150 tribunal hearings.