New employment rules for teleworkers

The agreement aims to give the 4.5 million teleworkers employed in the EU more security, whilst maintaining business flexibility. It also recognises that teleworkers should be afforded the general protection granted to workers based on the employer’s premises.

The agreement defines teleworkers as:

• Home-based employed teleworkers, most of whom work alternatively at home and on the employer’s premises;
• Self employed teleworkers who normally work from home;
• Mobile workers who spend at least 10 hours per week away from home or their main place of work (for example on business trips or travelling or on customers’ premises, during which time they use on-line computer connections;
• Casual workers who could fall under the first group (home-based), but spend less than 10 hours per week teleworking from home.

Seven key areas are highlighted in the agreement where the specific needs of teleworking should be taken into account: data protection, privacy, equipment, health and safety, organisation of work, training and collective rights issues. The implementation of the agreement will be reported by member organisations. A European report will be prepared within four years of the signing.