Providing Equipment For Remote Workers In A Distributed World
According to Owl Labs about 24 percent of global companies in 2023 are fully remote, up 8 percent from 2021.
While hiring offers several benefits like reduced costs and access to better talent, providing for is more complex than any company imagined.
Compliance issues, high costs for sending across international borders, and supply chain problems hinder their growth and new onboarding times.
To handle this logistics gap, GroWrk has developed a solution that makes providing g for your lobally distributed team easy, safe, and efficient.
This article will discuss ways to reduce compliance risk and ensure your employees have access to the tools they need to
remotely.How To Avoid Any Compliance Issues
Since 2020, 25 percent of businesses currently cover a portion of the cost of for their . Our research into companies also revealed that only 38% provided a WFH stipend or purchased laptops for their employees.
However, in 2023 it is becoming standard for companies to equip their
at least with a laptop when they are working with or have access to customer data.
The highest information security standards (SOC2, ISO 27001) prefer companies to own the equipment used by their employees to have control over the data that lives in those devices.
It makes sense for remote employees to have a unique work device in case their personal device is compromised.
Ready To Equip Your Remote Workers?
Learn how GroWrk's platform helps you to provide equipment to distributed teams.
Request DemoUnderstand What Your Employees Need
The first step is to make a checklist of essential your employees need to perform their jobs remotely. Things like a fast laptop, a , and a widescreen monitor should be standard.
Employers have three options to provide the Purchasing new devices for employee, using current inventory, or offering a WFH stipend to cover associated expenses. :
The most sustainable option is to use a third-party service like GroWrk to give company to remote employees so you do not take time away from their onboarding. Then when they leave, they collect the equipment and give it to the next employee with no additional cost.
To make the IT onboarding checklist process as fast as possible, send over an to determine what an survey is missing from your from home checklist. All from home provided must meet a set standards that your company creates.
Go Through Local Provisioning Requirements
The next step is to include anything their location legally requires.
Since employment laws usually vary by jurisdiction, it is crucial that you fully understand the laws that apply in their case. If two or more laws apply to the , the one that's most generous to the is the one your company should follow.
Requirements appear to be stringent in Europe. Germany, for example, now offers a €600 tax rebate for . Employees that hire in Spain will need to have a formal with their workers (signed document).
It is compulsory to provide for working from home, reimburse additional expenses, and ensure a safe and healthy environment.
10 US states require employers to reimburse WFH employees for certain -related expenses. California is the strictest where anything the deems “necessary” has to be covered.
On the other hand, Croatia and Russia require businesses to compensate for all remote work expenses, including phone bills, utilities, and home . Mexico also drafted a similar telework law this year for .
Ensure Meets Health And Safety Regulations
The responsibility of the is to ensure that the tools provided to their and their workplace meet the required standards and safety regulations. Again, these change from region to region.
According to OSHA, employers are not required to inspect workpaces.
Employers must ensure safety because they can be held liable for any accidents caused by , processes, or materials used by employees while working from home.
It is probably best if an receives any heavy furniture to set up such as a desk or chair, that they have a service set it up for them. The last thing a company needs is for someone to throw out their back before even starting the job.
Also, keep in mind under UK H&S requirements, employers must provide adjustable monitors. Fire safety standards in the EU are very strict, where you need to use specific fabrics and foams.
Have A Plan To Maintain The
Just like our own health, needs to be taken care of, or it risks breaking down. The company’s responsibility is to create an agreement that requires scheduled maintenance and trains employees to use properly.
The best way to do that is by having your This way, each party’s responsibilities are clearly established and what to do if there are issues with any of the company-provided tools. agreement. sign an
For example, how to replace a device, how to file a complaint, etc.
Create A From Home Policy
This isn’t just how many days they can from home; it also helps you avoid compliance issues and ensure no mishaps with .
Your policy should answer questions such as:
- from home. needed to
- How often to upgrade or replace tools.
- How to use tools.
The working from home policy should be published in your company knowledge database so that any can readily access it. This can be in a shared drive like in Google or Dropbox or a virtual HQ like Notion.
Why Is Providing So Expensive?
isn’t only about ordering products. It involves tedious processes, including approvals and delivery.
Here are some of the main reasons why it is so expensive:
- It can take workers hours to study local laws and ensure compliance. In some cases, you may have to hire the services of a foreign lawyer. Tools bought for employees are taxed, and are considered as an . You may need the help of a professional to take care of and ensure you don’t pay more than your fair share.
- Several departments are involved in the process. HR must handle the logistics issues, while the IT department must ensure that the network infrastructure supports growing needs. Then, the or the purchasing department needs to find vendors, cracks deals, and order the goods required.
- The costs that affect international employees, including customs duties and supply chain delays. Shipping costs can run into the thousands based on the destination and the weight or nature of the product.
- Quality isn’t cheap. You will have to invest in a good laptop, Wi-Fi routers, and furniture as a business. There are many sellers, and finding the best deal can be an arduous process.
In addition to all this, there are times when things don’t go as planned, and you have a due to reasons such as a faulty piece or contract running out. You will have to cover these expenses. returning
At Home Solutions
The best way to address these challenges is to partner with a company that eases these pressures and helps you save time and money. GroWrk has a team that understands the needs of and the dynamic realities of a distributed company.
It doesn’t matter where or how many GroWrk can deliver laptops and other devices to over 150 countries. We offer an intuitive dashboard that can onboard or off-board employees in minutes. you have;
Our global network of vendors and warehouses bypasses any customs taxes or shipping fees, so you can purchase from our catalog or store your inventory without worrying about additional costs.
You will never lose track of your hardware with our end-to-end wfh inventory management. Get real-time notifications when devices need maintenance, are being shipped, or have been delivered.
Get a customized quote for your company and keep growing your distributed team regardless if you want to procure equipment for new hires in Latin America, Europe, Africa, or Asia.
What should you provide for ?
Again, it depends on the country’s legal requirements where they are working from, but every should at least have:
- Laptop-find out how to setup laptops for remote workers here.
- monitor
- desk
- ergonomic chair

Grow remote with GroWrk. We provide and manage laptops, devices, other equipment and services to remote teams in over 150 countries.
GroWrk Team
November 24