Work-From-Home Safety Checklist

Practical safety steps for people working remotely from an unsafe environment.

Work-From-Home Safety Checklist

1. Safe Workspace Setup

Options to reduce risk and control who can see or hear your work.

• Choose a location
  • Pick a space where you can see who is approaching.
  • Avoid having your screen directly facing a doorway if possible.
  • Use a corner or wall behind you to limit what others can see on video.
• Control visibility of your screen
  • Use a privacy screen filter if someone might walk past or stand near you.
  • Lower screen brightness so content is harder to read from an angle.
  • Keep workplace apps on one screen and personal content on another (or separate browser profiles).
  • Set a short auto-lock time so your device locks if left unattended.
• Secure devices and accounts
  • Use strong passwords or passcodes on all work devices.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication for email and key work accounts where available.
  • Log out of work accounts when you are finished for the day.
  • Keep chargers, cables, and devices in one place for quick grab-and-go if needed.
• Manage physical documents
  • Store any printed work materials out of common areas when not in use.
  • Use a folder, envelope, or box that can be quickly closed and moved.
  • Keep workplace contact lists and safety numbers somewhere you can access quickly.
• Plan for interruptions
  • Decide in advance where you can move with your laptop or phone if you need more privacy.
  • Prepare a neutral reason you can use with coworkers if you need to turn off video or step away.

2. Headphone and Privacy Strategies

Options to reduce how much others in the home can hear from work calls.

• Choose headphones carefully
  • Use in-ear or over-ear headphones to keep coworkers’ voices private.
  • Test how much sound leaks from your headphones at your usual volume.
  • Consider a headset with a built-in microphone for clearer speech at a lower volume.
• Control what others hear
  • Use “mute” as your default when not speaking during meetings.
  • Turn off “always-on” smart speakers or voice assistants in your workspace if possible.
  • Use noise-masking options (fan, white noise) outside your door or in nearby areas.
• Reduce what coworkers can hear from your home
  • Use the mute button quickly if you sense a conversation nearby that you do not want heard.
  • Use chat instead of speaking when possible in meetings.
  • Test your microphone sensitivity and turn off “background enhancement” features that might amplify home sounds.
• Visual privacy options
  • Use virtual backgrounds or blurred backgrounds on video calls where allowed.
  • Keep identifiable home items out of the camera frame when possible.
  • Position your camera so doors and walkways are off-screen to reduce unexpected appearances.

3. Call Safety and Meeting Controls

Ways to handle work calls, unplanned check-ins, and video meetings from home.

• Prepare your default settings
  • Set your meeting apps so you join with camera off by default.
  • Set your microphone to start on mute when joining calls.
  • Shorten screen lock time on your phone and laptop in case you need to put them down quickly.
• Use quick actions during calls
  • Learn keyboard or screen shortcuts for:
    • Mute/unmute
    • Turn camera on/off
    • Leave a meeting quickly
  • Keep the meeting window on top so controls are always visible.
  • Practice using “end call” quickly if needed.
• Manage unexpected calls
  • Decide in advance when you will let calls go to voicemail.
  • Use text or chat replies like “In a noisy space, will call back shortly.”
  • Use audio-only options instead of video when that feels more manageable.
• Limit what is shared on screen
  • Close personal tabs and documents before sharing your screen.
  • Share a single application window instead of your entire desktop when possible.
  • Turn off on-screen notifications so private messages do not pop up while sharing.
• Plan for check-ins from supervisors
  • Agree on preferred communication methods (chat, email, scheduled calls) when possible.
  • Keep a short update ready so check-in calls can be brief.

4. Emergency Exit and Quick-Change Planning

Options to leave your workspace or change what others see or hear with minimal notice.

• Identify exits and routes
  • Note doors, windows, and paths from your workspace to outside or to another room.
  • Keep walkways clear of clutter for quick movement.
  • Know where keys, phone, and essential items are stored.
• Prepare a quick workspace reset
  • Decide where you can quickly move your laptop or phone if you need a different room.
  • Use a laptop bag, backpack, or folder to move work materials in one step.
  • Keep chargers in an easy-to-grab location.
• Plan for sudden changes during calls
  • Choose a neutral phrase to end or pause a call quickly (for example: “Something urgent just came up, I need to step away for a moment.”).
  • Practice turning off your camera and muting your microphone in one motion.
  • Use audio-only participation if you may need to move between rooms.
• Consider alternative safe locations
  • List other places where remote work may be possible (for example: library, coworking space, trusted friend or family member’s home, private room in a community center).
  • Check what equipment or permissions you would need to work from a different location.
  • Plan how to explain location changes to your workplace in a neutral way if needed.
• Document important information
  • Keep a written list of important work contacts in case you do not have device access.
  • Know how to log in to your work accounts from a different device, if permitted by your employer.

Recommended Articles

• Safety Planning Checklist
• Gathering Evidence
• Technology Privacy Basics
• Managing Digital Traces from Work
• Talking to Your Employer About Safety Needs