MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s labor ministry announced Friday new regulations that require employers to pay for internet and provide ergonomic chairs for employees who work from home.
The new regulations also provide for the “right to disconnect” for employees who work at least 40 percent of their time under the teleworking modality.
Remote employees often complain that being constantly reachable at home also requires them to work.
Mexico, like many other countries, saw a large increase in remote work during the coronavirus pandemic between 2020 and 2021. While office space occupancy is receding, remote work seems to be a trend that has caught on.
The trend is so pronounced that some office buildings on bustling boulevards in the city center are being converted into apartments, hospitals and shops.
The Secretary of Labor said that employers must cover the proportional payment of internet, electricity, computer, tablet, cell phone and printer when working from home. Under the new rules, if an employee’s home is not secure and well lit and ventilated, they cannot be forced to work there.
Inspectors may visit workers’ homes, or employees may be asked to take photos of their home, to show that it meets job requirements.
Remote workers cannot be paid less than those who go to an office, and must have fixed working hours.
According to real estate advisory firm Newmark, the Mexico City office market has shown slight signs of recovery since the pandemic. A report from the first quarter of this year showed the city’s office vacancy rate had dropped to 23.4%, from 24.5% a year ago.
As in many parts of the world, some employers have adopted a “mixed” or hybrid model in which workers come to the office for only part of the week. The new rules only apply to those who work remotely at least 40% of the week.
worker’s obligations
According to the standard published in the Official Gazette, These are the obligations of the workers for the home office.
- 6. Obligations of workers under the Teleworking modality.
- 6.1 Provide the Safety and Hygiene Commission, if the worker agrees, the written facilities for a physical verification of the safety and health conditions at work in the workplace, outside the workplace, or as an alternative apply the checklist on health and safety conditions in the workplace or workplaces to carry out their Teleworking activities, before appearing as a worker under the Teleworking modality, and after being so, with the corresponding periodicity.
- 6.2 Comply with the Teleworking Policy.
- 6.3 Inform the employer and the Safety and Hygiene Commission of any alteration in the safety and health conditions at work, or force majeure, that prevent the development of Teleworking, including those severe traumatic events that have been witnessed or suffered, due to or in the exercise of his work. The document must contain at least: the date of preparation; the name of the person working in the teleworking modality that prepares the document; the date of occurrence, and the description of the alterations or events.
- 6.4 Safeguard and maintain in good condition the equipment (including computer equipment), materials, tools and ergonomic furniture that, where appropriate and in accordance with the needs of their position or activity, provide them with the pattern to carry out Teleworking in their workplace. job.
- 6.5 Observe the provisions on safety and health at work, and submit to medical examinations, in accordance with the provisions of NOM-030-STPS-2009.
- 6.6 Comply with the data and information protection policies and mechanisms established by the employer in the performance of his activities as a worker under the Teleworking modality, as well as the restrictions on its use and storage.
- 6.7 Inform the employer in writing and in advance of any permanent or temporary change of address, to the previously agreed place of work so that, if applicable, steps are taken to verify that the proposed new place of work satisfies the requirements for that teleworking be developed there. The document must contain at least: the date of preparation; the name of the person working in the teleworking modality that prepares the document; the date of occurrence, and the description of the change of address.
- 6.8 Participate in the risk information processes related to their Teleworking and training activities provided by the employer, as well as in face-to-face or virtual meetings organized to avoid social isolation, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8 of the present Standard.
- 6.9 Notify the employer and the Safety and Hygiene Commission of the work risks suffered. The notice must contain at least: the date of preparation; the name of the person working in the teleworking modality that prepares the document; the date of occurrence, and the description of the event.
