Remote work has completely changed our entire lives because our private lives have started to intertwine with the business. No one can say for sure whether it is good or bad, but one thing is definitely in favor, and that is – freedom. The freedom to perform both business and private duties at the same time, the freedom to work from anywhere, sometimes, and at any time.

Sounds perfect, right? Do you know what impact such a lifestyle has on health? If you set a proper routine from the beginning, we believe you won’t have a problem. There is also the other side – improvised workspace and desks, social isolation, etc. All of these leave consequences for physical and mental health.

What happens if it turns into something more serious, for example, an injury that makes it difficult for you to work or completely prevents you? Let’s see your rights as an employee if you are in an inappropriate or harmful environment.

Remote Work & Its Impact On Health

Remote working is good – until it’s not. Like everything else, remote work has its advantages and disadvantages.

Physical Consequences

One of the main problems of remote work is the impact on physical health, which starts from an inadequate workplace. Home offices are usually improvised corners of the home or dining room table, none of which are designed for long-term use to work. Due to inadequate ergonomic support, there are possible consequences on the muscular and skeletal system, manifested by back pain, the appearance of carpal tunnel syndrome, and eye problems.

The sedentary way of working without moving, which you might naturally have in the office, worsens these conditions mostly in all those who may already suffer from such problems. That reduced physical activity can lead to obesity or the occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

Mental Consequences

The impact on mental health usually falls much harder on people because social isolation affects their emotional state. Depending on what kind of work you do, in the office you probably have at least an occasional conversation with someone in the work environment. Most days without communication with people who are not your family can be quite distressing for you and even cause anxiety and angst. 

Also, excessive exposure to screens and the constant need to be online can tax your mental health even further. Insufficiently defined boundaries between business and private life can increase your stress and mental fatigue leading to “mental burnout”. In the long run, your mental state has an impact on your physical health.

Since remote work is increasingly often implemented in practice, it is important that such workers know their legal rights.

Even though you work from home, there is still a legal obligation between you as an employee and an employer – just as you are responsible for participating in the work, the employer has his responsibilities. This would mean that if it is a question of some health problem caused by the (current) work environment while you are “on duty”, it would be good for you to know your rights.

Employer’s Responsibilities In A Remote Setup

Health And Safety Obligations

Even though you work remotely, your employer is still responsible for your safety in the workplace.

This would mean that you should be provided with guidance and resources to ensure that you have a suitable home office with good working conditions. By prior arrangement, they can even come and inspect your home office to ensure everything is up to date.

Workers’ Compensation For Remote Injuries

In case you have been injured while working from home, there is a possibility that you may be entitled to workers+compensation as well as it happened at your primary workplace/office.

For the injury to be admitted, it must occur while you are doing your job – for example, if a back injury from an inadequate employer refuses to pay the compensation, you have the right to appeal.

In certain situations, you could also request legal assistance. The first situation would be if your employer does not provide you with instructions and advice to create a safe work environment and an accident eventually occurs. We mentioned another situation earlier, which is the employer’s refusal to pay you the compensation you are entitled to after the injury.

When To Consult a Lawyer

If you are dealing with injuries caused by an inadequate work environment or your employer refuses to admit and compensate you, it is time to hire a lawyer to get your story legal.

Say you are working in Kentucky, and you will need a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you through the legal process. Special laws apply in each country, therefore it is necessary to seek legal help accordingly.

Conclusion

For some of us, remote work is the fulfillment of workers’ dreams. Even though it looks perfect, it also has its downsides.

The most important and obvious are mental and physical health risks that should not be ignored. Be aware of your labor rights and choose better working conditions and a healthy environment.

Your home office should be a safe corner where you feel comfortable working. Ensure your safety and enjoy personal and business freedom.

A happy (and healthy) employee is a good employee.