As yet, most research relates mainly to home-based teleworking, where the following health and safety issues have been identified. Existing legal rights to privacy in the home make it difficult for employers and control bodies to check for compliance with health and safety standards. Limited space in the home may stand in the way of adequate workspace design as regards ventilation, light, noise, equipment, etc.
Occupational accidents are harder to define when they occur in the home.
Lack of regulation and isolation may expose workers to long working hours and unknown stresses. Isolation may also exclude them from training, collective negotiations and the right to information and consultation. The Foundation has undertaken research into various aspects of teleworking in the EU, and has published a number of reports detailing the results. Where telework is to be introduced or extended in companies, formal and open discussions should take place beforehand to allow such issues to be considered.