When working remotely, according to the proposal, the employer should pay reimbursement of costs
Employers should probably start providing reimbursement of expenses to people who work remotely. They could contribute to energy, heat or water. The working version of the upcoming amendment to the Labor Code, takes this into account. According to the proposal, companies and institutions should pay workers who work from home a lump sum. The Ministry of Labor would regularly valorize the data for the calculation. According to the head of the department, Marian JureÄka (KDU-ÄSL), the legal rules for remote work could apply from next year.
The so-called home office was one of the company bonuses in the Czech Republic a few years ago, it became a common way of working during the epidemic. “We will prepare the rules for the home office in an amendment to the law. I would like it to apply from January 1, 2023,” JureÄka told reporters.
Expenditures for electricity, gas and heating are increasing. Further price increases are expected. According to JureÄka, the setting of the rules is not related to the price increase.
Working remotely is guaranteed for workers in all EU countries by the work-life balance (WLB) directive. The regulation is intended to contribute to the reconciliation of care for children and loved ones with employment. The Czechia, like all other member states, had to implement the European rules by the beginning of August this year. It took over three years. The ministry has not yet submitted the finished proposals. The social committee of the House discussed the preparation of legislative changes several times. He repeatedly asked the former management of the department for suggestions.
According to the working version of the amendment to the code, the employer should compensate the remote worker for the costs. He would have to cover those that the employees incur due to their work. The amount would not be included in earnings.
The company or institution should also pay the employee an hourly flat rate for gas, electricity, fuel, district heating, water, waste. The proposed section provided for a minimum of 2.80 crowns for each hour of work started. The amount for each year would be determined by the ministry in a decree, which would always apply from January. The resort would be based on data on costs per adult in an average household from the Czech Statistical Office. Exceptionally, he could valorize the amounts for the calculation of the minimum compensation if the total costs increased by at least 20 percent, according to the working version.
Remote work should be governed by an agreement that the employer would conclude with the employee in writing. It should contain data about the place from where people will work. The scope of work and the conditions for the distribution of working hours should also be determined. There should be clarification of the method of communication, assignment of tasks or reimbursement of costs.
Source: CTK
