From 20 December 2021, the Welsh Government has made it a legal requirement that people in Wales can be fined £60 if they do not work from home when it is reasonably practicable to work from home. The fine will be reduced to £30 if it is paid within 14 days.
The Welsh Government has stated they expect employers to take all reasonable measures in facilitating home-working practices and supporting employees in the process, to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19. If employers fail to allow their staff to work remotely, they could be faced with enforcement measures, such as closure notices and premises improvement. Employers who fail to comply with the notice could incur a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for the first notice, which could rise to up to £10,000.
The legal requirement also applies to individuals who live in Wales but work in England. However, the Welsh Government has stated an exception can be made if it is not reasonably practicable for these individuals to work from home, and if the employer in England has legitimate reasons for requiring people to work at the workplace in England rather than working from home.
