Unite, Britain's leading union, has produced a blueprint to protect homeworkers from attacks on their pay and conditions from unscrupulous employers (see notes to editors).

The union has vowed to support its members who face attacks on their pay and conditions because they work from home.

Unite has produced a framework homeworking agreement to assist Unite workplace representatives in their negotiations with employers (see notes to editors).

An unnamed Tory cabinet minister recently suggested that civil servants who won’t return to the office could have their pay cut. The suggestion threatens to open the floodgates for unscrupulous employers to attempt to cut workers’ pay despite evidence that homeworking can make workers happier and more productive if introduced fairly through negotiation, not imposition.

Unite Executive Officer Sharon Graham said: “Covid-19 has changed the way we work, but it is absolutely imperative that we stand up to bad bosses who try to attack workers’ pay and conditions.

"Unite has produced a framework homeworking agreement to assist Unite workplace representatives in their negotiations. The protection of pay and conditions is a cornerstone of the agreement. Homeworking can be good for some, but agreements need to be in place to protect workers, for example the right to disconnect.

"It is important to remember that homeworking done badly can lead to more work for the same pay. It can also lead to stress and depression, as well as health and safety risks from working in an unsuitable environment. It is vital that employers now recognise that homeworking is an issue for negotiation not imposition and that we will be demanding adequate protection for our members.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Unite's template home working agreement [PDF]

For more information please contact Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315

  • Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.