04-10-2007
Homeworkers not getting equal benefits
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Homeworkers do not always receive the same rights and benefits as their office-based colleagues, according to comments by the National Group on Homeworking (NGH).
Nesta Holden, a representative from the National Group on Homeworking (NGH), said that homeworkers are not always afforded the same level of rights as office-based staff, but employers should be aware that when equal parity does occur, there are benefits in terms of employee dedication and loyalty.
According to the NGH, employers that don't treat their staff equally could end up facing an employment tribunal if any staff were to complain. Compensation claims against employers can be large, and for a small business a successful claim could be crippling.
"[It can be] very difficult to be clear what [homeworkers] employment status is, so some of them will be told that they're a homeworker or self-employed and therefore not entitled to a full range of employment rights," said Ms Holden.
"They are not treated as employees so they don't necessarily get the same rights as employees do," she added.
Employers should ensure they have appropriate policies in place so that staff know what they are entitled to. Legally, all companies that employ staff should have Employer's Liability insurance. This will covers the business against compensation claims from employees.
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