The Ultimate Work From Home Ergonomics Checklist

Depending on your remote work policy, employees will need to use their own equipment or your company will supply them with a computer. If it’s the latter, specialty positions like developers or video editors will need computers with higher specs to handle their software requirements. To ensure you’ve covered every option, we’ve created  work from home and ergonomics checklists for employers to use with staff when setting up homeworking. Consider shading or repositioning light sources or providing local lighting, e.g. desk lamps.

• There are various checklists available but it is necessary to ensure that the checklist covers all aspects of the workstation and environment.
• Prior to the 2020 pandemic, only 7% of Americans had the option to work from home.
• It gives tips on how to work effectively when you don’t have ideal conditions and gives guidance on staying mentally fit too.
• If you’re feeling pain, stop and examine how you’re positioned and adjust it.
• To ensure you’ve got the right keyboard height, place the keyboard on your work surface then try to type a few lines.
• Through this process, companies can find solutions to reduce the risk of stress and injuries to their employees.

A voltage fluctuation can damage your laptop and any other electrical equipment. A quality surge protector will divert the extra electricity and save your devices from incurring damage over time. In a world where we can electronically sign documents, take photos, and comment on files, there is little need to print or scan materials. However, if an employee needs to print or scan hard documents, work from home ergonomics ensure one or both devices are on their working from home equipment checklist. The first and most important step for creating a remote office environment is to curate the essentials that make working from home both possible and productive. You can improvise a stand-up desk by placing your laptop up on a breakfast bar, work surface, ironing board, chest of drawers or book shelf.

Ergonomics Recommendations for Remote Work

Walk when you’re on a call to keep your energy up and allow your eyes to rest from video calls or screen work. Your sofa is a bad place for you to work for a prolonged period of time. Not only will your posture immediately worsen, the perception of comfort can stop you from moving around as much. If you work with a laptop on your sofa, you’ll have to crane your neck to look down which will cause back and shoulder pain in the long run. If you don’t have anywhere to sit at a table, and you’re stuck with the bed or sofa, try a portable desk or lap desk. Remember there may be assistance in purchasing these via the Access to Work scheme.

To also advise on reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. Our recommendations are backed up with decades of experience and research in ergonomics. Let’s face it; the covid-19 pandemic changed how the corporate world functions.

DON’T skip lunch and make sure you stay hydrated

The rise of remote work means people need alternatives to physically signing documents. To round off your working from home checklist, you need an electronic signature tool like DocuSign or HelloSign to streamline signing internal and external contracts and documents. You need tools to communicate internally, keep up-to-date with clients, manage projects and stay on top of administrative tasks. A ring light isn’t essential for remote jobs unless you want to improve the lighting on your video calls.

• As you type, your elbows should hang naturally by your sides without discomfort.
• A laptop stand elevates the device to eye level, prevents overheating, and increases both comfort and productivity.
• Studies show that Neat could play a key part in maintaining our energy levels and body weight.
• For example, if you are in meetings on a regular basis, then use a headset.

If the feet do not comfortably rest on the floor, use a footrest. Footrests can be purchased or can be made by using stable boxes, reams of paper, step stools, etc. The aim should be to have a right angle at the knees and hips with feet comfortably supported. Investing in the right equipment is equally as important as keeping your posture in check when it comes to achieving an ergonomically optimal workspace. A cluttered desk is not just ergonomically less than optimal but can seriously hamper one’s work efficiency. Set up your work desk so that the items of frequent use are placed closest to you.