Working From Home
Policy
The Trust promotes flexible working for staff in all jobs and, where appropriate, will agree to an employee working from home provided that such an arrangement is suitable for both parties and is likely to facilitate effective and efficient working.
Home Working Policy provides advice on requirements around equipment, insurance security and health and safety in regards to home working.
Trust staff may apply to work up to 3 days or 60% of their time for part time staff from home, providing this works for both the service and our patients as well as the staff member.
In cases of managers and staff wanting to agree more days than that, approval will be needed from the appropriate Care Group Clinical Director (or relevant Assistant/Deputy Director for corporate functions).
Procedure
Staff are eligible to make a home working request if they meet the criteria below. Confirmation that the points have been met from their manger is required on the application form.
- Not be under performance management unless jointly agreed as part of improvement plan
- Be up to date with mandatory training
- Have a proven ability to meet deadlines and manager workloads
- Have a good quality broadband connection
- Provide a safe working environment to satisfy Health and Safety requirements and to complete a DSE Assessment, retaining a copy and sending a copy to the staff’s line manager.
Staff who wish to be considered Working from Home should make their request as set out in the Home Working Policy (section 6). A Home Working Request Form at Appendix A of this policy should be completed and submit it to their line manager.
Managers will consider each request in accordance with the policy. Managers will acknowledge receipt of the Home Working Request Form as soon as possible following the employee submitting the request and will arrange a meeting with the employee within 28 days of the application being made. If a request for home working is refused, staff have the right to appeal the decision using the Trust’s Appeal Policy.
Practicalities
Staff working from home are subject to the normal requirements for reporting in line with the Sickness Absence Policy and other absences such as Special leave Policy. Staff working from home must have the necessary office equipment and computer requirements must be discussed with the line manager prior to agree home-working.
Staff need to agree hours of work and methods of contact during any temporary or contracted working from home arrangement.
Staff who work from home are responsible for keeping all documents and information associated with the Trust’s business secure at all times.
Transmission of patient identifiable data should only be conducted where absolutely necessary and only via the trusts secure NHS mail service.
Individuals must report any actual or potential breach of security, confidentiality or data protection to kch-tr.dpo@nhs.net