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Clackmannanshire Council Online

Working From Home

Working From Home

How to connect remotely to the corporate network

See the IT portal article of 29 August 2023 on how to remotely connect to the corporate network: https://bit.ly/ClacksITUpdate

Remote working options

The list of available remote working options and equipment can be found by following the link along with the process to follow and forms to complete in order to have a remote working solution allocated to a member of staff. 

While making a request for remote working equipment it is important for the manager making the request to tell IT Services

  • which of the available options they think would meet the needs of the individual staff member,
  • the contact details for that individual member of staff (specifically a home email address and phone number),
  • what equipment the staff member already has access too (and is willing to use) and
  • what sort of work the staff member will be performing that may need the use of IT equipment.

Further consideration is also required for any adaptive equipment that is currently provided and how that will need to operate within a home environment.

So for example:

A staff member who only requires access to Citrix and to email can use any device we have available.

If the staff member needs a device to access Microsoft Teams for video conferencing then they need a new laptop or they will need an additional device like a webcam to use with a PC or an iPad/smartphone on which to run the Teams app.

If a staff member spends a lot of time on the phone, for example a contact centre agent, then they may need a PC or a laptop with a software phone and a headset. (This works just like the fixed telephone on the desk in the office but it is enabled on the computer).

The more information we have on what the staff member will be doing with their equipment, the better we will be able to assess the requirement and provide guidance to the manager.

Working from home safely

Working From Home Sitting Tips

Our Health and Safety Team have devised a self assessment form which should be completed by staff working at home. The completed form should be submitted to hands@clacks.gov.uk.

Things to consider when working from home:

  • Laptops are not designed for long term use on a daily basis. If a member of staff will be working all day on a laptop then they will also need a full size keyboard and mouse as well as a monitor to avoid developing issues with the wrists, neck and back. 
  • Similarly, setting up a Wyse terminal or PC in a household will eliminate the health issues that can be caused by stooping over a laptop for several hours a day. However remember these items need more desk space and can cause tripping hazards if cables are not kept tidy and away from walk ways etc.
  • When considering what equipment is available for a member of staff, a manager should always ensure that it can be used safely in the home of the staff member.

Further guidance and tips on working safely at home can be found at the links below: 

Cloud based software applications

There are several key software systems in use at Clackmannanshire Council that are cloud based and so could be accessed by a member of staff on their own personal equipment as long as they have an active internet connection at home. The member of staff would need to agree to use their own equipment. However, this would allow some tasks to be performed at home while waiting for remote working equipment to be provided.

iTrent instructions for requesting and authorising annual/special leave

Instructions for requesting and authorising annual/special leave is available by following the link.

e: itrent@clacks.gov.uk

Working at home - tax relief

Employees may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if they have to work at home on a regular basis, either for all or part of the week.

Additional costs include things like heating and electricity. They do not include costs that would stay the same whether you were working at home or not such as rent or council tax.

Go to GOV.UK to check you are eligible.