Even as the country starts to see green shoots of normal life in the news and on the streets, the altered workstyle has changed the relationship between employers and their employees. While it remains to be seen if this will be the "new normal," these new arrangements have several implications for what benefits are offered and how they are managed. Decisions now could influence employee relations and company performance for some time to come.

John McFarland, SHRM-CP, is senior vice president of client development for Vensure Employer Services.

When the home office becomes exactly that

The home and the office have traditionally been two separate locations. No more. With forecasts projecting this workstyle will become one more element in the mix, companies need to consider how they will equip these new "facilities." As a matter of principle, if a company is getting benefits from the use of an employee's property, the employee should be reimbursed.

Many companies already have Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) reimbursement policies for cell phones and tablets. If employees are now using their home computers for company work, this same policy should apply. This extends to all computer-related expenses like internet connectivity, printers, and printer supplies. In fact, some states, such as California, require this kind of compensation.