Employee security

Homeworkers should never meet with clients in their home. If they have to meet with colleagues or members of the public, the arrangements should be made to meet at the local work office or in a public building. They should have a mobile phone and ensure that their office knows where they are, and be informed when they have returned home safely.

Homeworkers should also avoid using their personal telephone line for work.

The policy at University of London states:

“For their own security it is recommended that homeworkers should:

• not release their address and personal telephone number to non-employees. (While the homeworker’s address and personal telephone number should never be disclosed to non-employees, their business email address and business phone-line may be). All homeworkers’ business lines should be ex-directory. The office-based contact point may act as a ‘filter’ for homeworkers; and

• always ensure that the office staff know of their whereabouts. Local arrangements must be set up to cover this.”

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust (www.suzylamplugh.org) has information on personal security.

Prospect’s Members’ guide to lone working is also useful. There is also guidance from the Health and Safety Executive on lone working, available at: www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workers/lone.htm.