The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a reminder to UK employers that home workers must be afforded the same health and safety protections as office-based staff, as remote and hybrid working continues to grow.
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, 38% of workers in Great Britain were working remotely or in hybrid arrangements as of January 2026. Despite this shift, the HSE warns that not all organisations fully understand their legal responsibilities towards employees working from home.
The regulator is urging employers to carry out appropriate risk assessments for home workers, emphasising that health and safety duties apply regardless of where work is carried out.
Key areas of risk identified by the HSE include stress and mental health, display screen equipment (DSE), and the overall working environment, including risks related to accidents, emergencies and lone working.
Barbara Hockey from the HSE’s Engagement and Policy Division said the increase in home working brings both opportunities and responsibilities for employers.
“Working from home can deliver benefits to both employers and employees, but with more than three in ten workers now remote or hybrid, it’s important that employers understand their responsibilities,” she said.
The HSE stressed that employers are not required to physically visit employees’ homes in most cases. Instead, organisations should adopt practical and proportionate measures, such as maintaining regular communication with staff, monitoring workloads and ensuring employees are not under pressure to work excessive hours.
Managers are also encouraged to have simple conversations with employees about their home working setup — including checking that equipment is safe, workspaces are free from hazards such as trailing cables, and staff understand emergency procedures.
For HR professionals, the guidance reinforces the need to integrate health and safety considerations into remote working policies, particularly as hybrid models become embedded across sectors.
The HSE has published free guidance and resources to support organisations in conducting home working risk assessments and meeting their legal obligations.
As flexible working becomes a permanent feature of the UK labour market, the regulator is clear: protecting employee wellbeing and safety must extend beyond the traditional workplace and into the home.
Photo by BRUNO CERVERA on Unsplash
