Teleworking guidelines backed up by union info

The UK's Trades Union Congress (TUC) has followed up an agreement announced yesterday with a guide to teleworking.

Its workSMART guide, available at www.worksmart.org.uk, also ties in with national Work Life Balance Week and features advice on issues such as working hours, claiming expenses, training, isolation and health and safety.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said in a statement: "Working outside the office should be an option that improves job quality for employees and brings people back into the workforce, not just a cheap option for employers."

He said the aim of yesterday's agreement, between the CBI, TUC and CEEP, a European public sector employee organisation, is to guide employers on their responsibilities on remote staff using computers and phones.

Some of the questions addressed in the TUC guide include:

- Can I change to teleworking to help me care for my young children? - What right to privacy at home do I have if I'm a teleworker? - I've tried teleworking and it isn't for me. Can I go back to working in the office?