Employment Arrangements

image of home office setup - desk, light, laptop, monitor, phone

Most people working in British Columbia, even those working remotely, are governed by the Employment Standards Act of British Columbia. This law sets the standards for working conditions and minimum wages for most workplaces in the Province.

A remote work policy outlines what's expected when working remotely. Your employer should provide guidance on all aspects of remote work including expectations of working hours, location of work, methods of communication, legal rights, and IT security protocols. Ideally, the employer and employee create a written agreement that outlines the expectations of both parties.

Work Schedule

A remote work agreement should specify your required working hours. This could be a precise schedule (ie: 9 to 5, Monday to Friday). Alternatively, your schedule may be more flexible, allowing you to work whenever you choose, as long as your weekly hours total a specified number.
Remote workers have the same legal rights as other employees. In most cases, if you are expected to work more than 40 hours per week you are qualified for overtime pay.

Workspace & Equipment

Your employment arrangement may specify where you are permitted to work and what equipment is required. In some cases, you may be allowed to work from anywhere, including your home, a coffee shop, or other remote location.
However, most employers establish limitations on where you can work. For example, your employer may require that you have a private work space away from others to ensure confidentiality and limit distractions.
A laptop and a Wi-Fi connection are generally essential for working remotely. Additional technology to help you engage with your employer and team members may also be required.
You and your employer should have an agreement on who provides equipment (computer, chairs, desk, office supplies, etc) and utilities (home or cell phone, Internet, hydro, etc)

Communication Guidelines

The ability to communicate with your employer and members of your team are essential when working remotely. Some considerations include:

What technology is required for you to work remotely? Will your employer provide collaboration tools and software in order to communicate with managers, teammates and clients?
Will you be set up with video conferencing software and hardware in order to attend virtual meetings and brainstorming sessions?
What are response time expectations? (For example, some employers expect teammates to answer instant messages within three hours and reply to emails within one day.)

IT Security Protocols

Cybersecurity is a major concern in virtual offices. Your employer will likely require you to follow IT security protocols to ensure that all organization, client, and employee data remain secure.