Employees Who Work from Home

7. Using Technology

It is safer for all homeworkers' output to be saved directly onto your systems, rather than locally-sited equipment. This reduces the security risk of data lost in transit and limits your exposure to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

7.1 Homeworkers can access any information that you keep online.

• Your site can be accessed anywhere by any computer with web browser software.

7.2 You can enable homeworkers to connect to your existing computer network.

• This gives them access to relevant files and systems on the company network, and to resources on the company intranet.
• The major cost, for an existing network, is the connection fee.A fast ISDN or broadband line makes it easy to exchange information but will increase your costs. Standard telephone lines can be used, but with significant loss of productivity for the homeworker.

7.3 Knowing the pitfalls can help you avoid them.

• There is a danger of people gaining unauthorised access to your systems. Where confidentiality is essential, issue "work only" computers protected with passwords, firewalls and anti-virus software.
• Faster technology costs more money.
• Introducing homeworkers to new technologies will require training.
• Employees may not use the technology productively.
• Employees may fail to back up information stored on home PCs and laptops.