☰ ˟
Appointments Call Us Pay Now
Logo
Pay Now
  • Home
  • Get A Quote
    • Automobile
    • Business & CommercialImage of right arrow
      • Commercial Auto Insurance Quote
      • General Liability Quote Form
    • Group Benefits
    • HealthImage of right arrow
      • Health Insurance Quote
      • Unemployment Health Insurance Quote
    • Homeowners
    • Life
    • Other
    • Workers Compensation
  • Customer Service
    • AutomobileImage of right arrow
      • Request ID Card for Auto Policy
      • Request Declaration and Coverages Page for Auto Policy
      • Add Driver to Existing Auto Policy
      • Remove Driver from Existing Auto Policy
    • Business & CommercialImage of right arrow
      • Request ID Card for Commercial Auto Policy
      • Add Driver to Existing Commercial Auto Policy
    • Health
    • HomeownersImage of right arrow
      • Request Declaration and Coverages for Existing Homeowners Insurance Coverage
      • Request Evidence of Insurance
    • Life
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Secure File Area
    • Refer a Friend
    • Important Links
    • Calculators
    • Insurance Glossary
  • About Us
    • About Equity Insurance Group
    • Our Locations
    • Employee Directory
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
Get A Quote Auto
Get A Quote Home
Get A Quote Life
Get A Quote Health
Get A Quote Business
Get A Quote Workers Comp
Home > Blog > Does my worker's compensation policy cover my employees during temporary work from home?
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

Does my worker's compensation policy cover my employees during temporary work from home?

**Does Worker’s Compensation policy extends to coverage your employees who are now working at home due to current COVID-19 events? **

Generally speaking, worker’s compensation provides compensation when an employee injury or illness arises out of and in the course of employment. Coverage applies regardless of the location of where the injury occurs – therefore, while an employee telecommutes or is in an office. Typically, it is the burden of the employee to prove that the injury is a work-related injury. “Arising out of” meaning what an employee was doing when the injury occurred and “in the course of” referring to when an injury happened. An employee must show that they were in the course of work and working for the employer’s interest at the time an injury occurs.

When an employee works from home, their work premise becomes the their home. Because the employer has lack of control over the work conditions, establishing policies is the best practice. These include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Telecommuting policies and procedures
  • Designated work area guidelines, including workplace set up and safety measures (i.e., ergonomics)
  • Setting fixed hours to promote breaks, rest periods and meal times
  • When appropriate, conducting periodic check of the home office to help review work hazards. Or possibly providing equipment to help eliminate work and safety hazards.

Telecommuting** policies and procedures**

Now, more than ever, it is encouraged by risk management solution and compliance companies, such as Ironwood Business Consulting to update business policies to include telework. Kevin Reynolds, President of Ironwood Business Consulting shares:

We can build a company-specfic one for your clients if needed. We do have a COVID/Pandemic policy to touch on the telework issues. However, here are some good government websites and checklist for employers to insure a safe workplace: Telework site and OSHA site.

How does this affect your Worker’s Compensation exposure ratings?

When an employee works from home, some carriers require each home location to be listed on the policy. Generally due to current events, we are not requiring individual residents to be scheduled as long as the state is listed on the policy. Through the end of May, most carriers are considering these exposures to be temporary operations. Many employees are able to perform their normal duties remotely. If work exposure has changed and is beyond the 60 day temporary operations, the changes would be picked up at audit.

If you have questions on your specific policy, please reach out to a licensed agent.

Posted 1:24 PM

Share |


NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2021

  • insurance(1)
  • insurance agency(1)

View Mobile Version
Insure Your Needs
Resources
Products
Make a Claim
Payments
About Us
Refer A Friend
Contact Us
1017 South Gaylord Street Suite B7
Denver, CO 80209

Phone: (303) 495-3990
Fax: (303) 317-3495
© Copyright. All rights reserved. Powered by Insurance Website Builder.