There is no doubt that the pandemic ushered in a new “work from home” mentality for many American workers.  Death care may be a little different in that embalming and cremation cannot be done in a “work from home” environment.  However, many aspects of the death care world, such as arrangers, preneed advising, and many death care supplier positions can be.

So, it turns out that, more than likely,  this new phenomena will also usher in new “work-from-home” rules and requirements of employers and how they will compensate employees for establishing and operating “work-from-home” offices.

For instance, this article tells of an Amazon employee who sued his employer for his home heating and internet bills because he was working from home.  Fortunately for America’s employers, a judge dismissed the lawsuit. . . but it does bring up the question “What are the rules and what should employers be paying to help their employees work from home?”

The linked article tells of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) polling employers on this question.  Turns out that 62% of the respondents report that they are, to some level, helping employees with some of these costs. . . to the tune of an average of $891 annually per employee.  The most common items paid for by employers for employees with home offices are laptops, monitors, chairs, and keyboards.

And, the article points out that there are some questions as to whether cell phones, heating and cooling bills, internet use, and printers should be reimbursable as a general rule.

The article points out that some companies are very generous in this regard and other companies believe that the employee is already saving on commuting costs, including gasoline, parking, and time so they are not, for the time being, covering home expenses.

In the article one legal expert, Jay Zweig states that “whatever your company plans to do, create policies that are consistent across all locations, states, and staffs.”

Yvette Lee, one of SHRM’s advisors says, “It can be a little complex depending on the state. Employers have to make sure they’re developing their policies so individuals don’t just start buying stuff without company approval. Employers have some leeway to say, ‘That is not an expense that you would have normally incurred in the office, so that is not something you need to work at home.'”

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  So, here we are again with potential increases in overhead costs.  At the funeral home I managed all funeral directors had desk stations in the funeral home equipped by the funeral home with all we believed necessary to do the job — computers, phones, printers, scanning machines, and more.  To stay up to date every couple of years with new equipment took some planning and a certain amount from the capital improvement budget.  In today’s world, “Would I be expected to provide the same set-up at their home office if we allowed a hybrid type of work style for funeral arrangers?”

I’m guessing that it would be optimal. . . but would it be required by law?  Those are questions that I’m guessing that we will be getting into in employment law soon.

What about an employee with a bad back. . . will the funeral home be required not only to provide a stand up desk at work, but also one at their home. . .or special chiropractic chairs for that employee both at the office and at home?

I understand employment rules and regulations. . . but I’ve always been one to believe that the marketplace will take care of itself.  For instance, the business that provides the best compensation and conditions will procure the best employees and probably do the best financially.  I’m a little nervous whenever government tells me “what is best and what I have to do“.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Governor Parsons makes five appointments to various boards (including funeral board).  Press Release – State of Missouri (MO)
• Meet the Warrington friends living out their dreams — as embalmers.  Warrington Guardian (United Kingdom)
• Lawmakers renew push to close Tonawanda crematory.  Spectrum Local News (NY)
• Rosewood Cremation and Funeral breaks ground on Red Cup Celebration Center.  Log Cabin Democrat (VT)
• Rosewood Cremation and Funeral website

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