Home office & hybrid work – the HR guide
Everything HR teams need to know in 2026 about home office, remote and hybrid models: legal foundations, equipment, leadership at distance and best practices.
Overview
Home office is no longer a special case but a fixed part of modern work models. Yet HR leaders keep facing the same questions: which rules are legally required? How do you equip employees ergonomically? And how do you keep culture alive when teams rarely meet in person?
This pillar page bundles our most important content on the topic: from hands-on guidance to recent studies and definitions from our HR glossary.
Tip: If you want to use home office not just as a tolerated option but as a real competitive advantage, it's worth looking at our solutions around equipment, compliance and desk booking.
Dive deeper
Home office equipment for employees
What must employers provide? Duties, cost models, tax treatment and checklist – the full guide.
Read articleErgonomic equipment
Desk, chair, monitor: what employees really need at home – and how to provide it as an employer.
Read articleCompliance & occupational safety
Risk assessment, training and data protection – your legal duties at a glance.
Read articleFlexoffice & desk booking
How to reduce office space and at the same time keep booking the remaining seats simple.
Read articleLatest articles
Why narcissistic leaders oppose remote work
A US study suggests that power and status motives may influence leaders’ attitudes towards remote work. What the findings mean – and how HR can develop fair hybrid-work policies.
Savills study 2026: How can we measure the value of the office?
99% see office value for culture and collaboration, but only 38% consider it highly measurable. What the Savills study means for HR, occupancy and hybrid work.
Booking a Desk: How a Workplace Booking System Works
From spreadsheet to workplace booking system: how employees book desks, rooms and parking, which rules make sense and how to roll it out in four weeks.
Zukunft Personal Europe 2026 in Cologne: What HR Teams Can Expect
From 15 to 17 September 2026, Koelnmesse becomes the centre of the European HR world again. Dates, key topics, and how to plan a visit focused on hybrid work and employee experience.
Desk Sharing Software: What Companies Should Look For in 2026
Desk sharing software governs who uses which desk and when. Which features actually matter, what it costs, which legal points apply – and how to choose the right solution.
Remote Work and Mental Health: Why New Places, Movement and Contact Matter
A Science study of 588,322 workers finds remote work explains about a third of the rise in psychological distress. The problem is not working from home — it is how it is designed. What employers should take from the research.
Office Utilization Jumps to 53%: What the CBRE 2026 Study Means for Hybrid Work
Global office utilization rose from 38% to 53% in 2025 – the largest annual gain since 2021. The CBRE Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights 2026 report shows people come to the office for collaboration, not for attendance mandates. The key figures and what HR and workplace leaders should take from them.
Terms in the HR Glossary
- HR Glossary
Employee satisfaction in hybrid working models
With the rise of hybrid working models that combine both on-site and remote working, it is more important than ever to ensure employee satisfaction.
- HR Glossary
Reducing office space: the future of New Work and hybrid working models
The reduction of office space has become a central topic in the discussion about the future of work.
- HR Glossary
Remote Onboarding
Remote onboarding integrates new hires structurally – without requiring office days first.
Frequently asked questions
Are employees entitled to work from home?
There is no general statutory right to home office in Germany. The entitlement comes from the employment contract, works agreements or collective agreements. Employers must, however, review requests and justify any rejection objectively.
Who is liable for accidents in home office?
Activities performed as part of insured work are covered by statutory accident insurance – including in home office. The accident must be in direct connection with the professional task.
What equipment must the employer provide?
Employers are responsible for ergonomic and safe working conditions. In practice this means at least an ergonomic chair, an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. onyo offers a complete home-office setup as a service.
How often is a risk assessment required?
At least once before the activity starts and again whenever there are material changes – in practice every 1–2 years. The German Occupational Safety Act applies to mobile workplaces too.
People also ask
Short, reliable answers from our knowledge base.
Does remote work save CO₂?
Working from home can reduce emissions by eliminating commutes. The size of the overall effect depends, among other things, on the mode of transport, the distance and the additional or saved energy consumption at home and in the office.
Read answerDoes ergonomic home office equipment pay off?
Yes. Non-ergonomic setups cost up to 25% of productivity – measured against an annual salary that is a multiple of the equipment cost. Home office ergonomics is one of the most economical investments in hybrid work.
Read answerWhat does a good home workstation need?
The basics are suitable seating, sufficient work surface, a correctly positioned screen plus keyboard and mouse, good lighting and appropriate technical equipment. Details depend on the task, body dimensions and legal requirements.
Read answerHow is home office equipment treated for tax?
For German tax purposes it matters which work equipment is provided and whether employees may only use it or receive ownership. Private use of company computers and telecommunications devices can be tax-free under section 3 no. 45 EStG; this rule does not apply across the board to all furniture.
Read answer
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