Remote working is almost certainly here for the next few months. It looks very much like it’s going to be part of the future for the long-term. Much has already been written about the need to pay special attention to remote workers’ mental health. It is, however, also important to remember the need to protect their physical health. Here are some tips.
Good chairs make good workspaces
A full-time worker will sit at an office chair for about 8 hours a day. That’s basically the same length of time as they spend in bed. Everybody appreciates the importance of investing in a high-quality mattress for a good night’s sleep. Investing in a high-quality office chair is just as important.
Probably the most pragmatic way to deal with this is for businesses to allow employees to expense the purchase of a proper office chair. Businesses can allow them sufficient funds to buy one which is suitable for regular use. If employees want a top-quality option, they can add their own funds.
Desks need to be sized to fit the work
There are so many small-space desk options, it’s in the highest degree unlikely that anyone will ever have a real issue finding something to suit them. The reason this was an issue during the first lockdown was a combination of lack of knowledge of what was available and lack of stock in retailers.
A lot of knowledge-based workers will be perfectly fine with small desks or even tables, including folding ones. It will, however, be very much to their benefit if the worksurfaces have enough depth to put the laptop on a riser and have a separate keyboard and mouse. Workers who have more space at home may even want an extra monitor.
Ergonomics still matter
Small screens are an inconvenience. Screens at the wrong height, by contrast, are a potential health-and-safety hazard. Fortunately, this is one which is really easy and affordable to fix. If your employees are using laptops, give them adjustable risers. If your employees are using monitors, make sure that they are on either adjustable stands or arms.
Accessories make all the difference
As a minimum, you should assume that your employees will need decent keyboards and mice. You should generally also assume that they will want additional monitors whenever possible. Depending on their job, they may need, or just want, further accessories such as headsets. These will all need to be connected to the computer in some way.
You can use wireless accessories. Be aware, however, that even the best wireless accessories are not as totally dependable as cabled ones. Also, if anything does go wrong with them, employees may need help to troubleshoot them or may be put out of action until they are replaced.
Cabled accessories are, therefore, the safer option. These do, however, require port space. Laptops are not necessarily generous with this, which means that you may need to invest in docking stations.
Employees still need to be educated
Getting the right office equipment and accessories is only half the story. The other half is putting it all together so that it works effectively. You should assume that your employees are going to need guidance on this.
If you have a range of approved equipment from which employees can choose, then you can produce “how-to” guides for setting it up. If you don’t, then you have to make it clear to employees that they’re on their own when it comes to putting it together. You should, however, still offer guidance on what you expect from the end result.
For example, you may not be able to talk an employee through the practicalities of setting up their choice of office chair. You should, however, give them clear guidance on how to tell if their chair is set up ergonomically. You should also highlight areas your employees will need to address themselves, such as lighting, soundproofing and cable management.
