New rules on working from home

The rules so far

In the current rules, requirements apply to the arrangement of the so-called “screen workplaces”.

The employer must ensure that work with devices such as desktops, laptops, touch screens, tablets and mobile phones is planned, organized and performed so that it is safe and sound in terms of safety and health and adapted to the employee and the work the individual performs. In the case of screen work, the employer has a duty to comply with the legal requirements for furniture, lightning, ventilation, etc.

The rules for screen workplaces also apply today when:

• The work takes place throughout working hours, or
• the work takes place regularly, and
  • the working time in the employee’s home is at least equal to one day per week on average

The new rules

The new rules mean that the rules for screen work only take effect after more than two full days of screen work within a normal working week.

This means that in cases where no more than a total of two days of screen work is performed, the employees can use their own desk, chair and computer when working from home, as long as it is an adjustable chair and the screen and keyboard are separated. If this is not the case, it is still the employer’s responsibility to provide the necessary equipment to the employees.

The new rules are expected to enter in April.

Read the Ministry of employment’s press release about the new rules here.

If you have questions about the new rules or how they will affect your company, including advice on establishing policies for virtual workplaces (working from home permanently), hybrid jobs (mixed home and office work) and permanent office work or work for clients and everything in between, please do not hesitate to contact our employment law specialists Partner, Attorney Michael Møller Nielsen, Attorney Julie Flindt Rasmussen, Attorney David Bar-Shalom or Assistant Attorney Mina Faiz.