Working from Home? Our Top Tips for Employers

Many of these home office workers form part of what’s known as the SOHO (small or home office) market, one that has seen year on year growth thanks in no small way to technology and the internet.

Do products fit?

Products for the home office need to be compact, non-intrusive, complement existing decor and fulfil storage needs. SOHO workers can choose from desk and storage units that feature clean and contemporary lines and can fit a home office or study. Single bench desking is often ideal for the home office as its modular configuration allows total flexibility and greater access, thanks to recessed legs.

Practicality

People looking to purchase mobile workstations, home working desks and printer storage furniture should be mindful of these products’ durability and any assembly requirements to ensure they’re making the best choice.

Employers’ Duty of Care

Employers have the same health and safety responsibilities for remote workers as they do for site-based ones. This duty of care for all workers, wherever they are, means employers should carry out health and safety risk assessments at the start to ensure workstations are wholly suitable and office equipment is fit for purpose. Trailing cables should be avoided to minimise the risk of accidents and electrical equipment should be tested, certified and maintained just as it would be in any workplace. Where applicable, employees should be trained to work and use any equipment correctly.

Spec According to Usage

If the employee is working on a computer for long periods of time or only occasionally? Appropriate products need to specify, for instance, a posture chair for the all-day user and a lighter SOHO chair for occasional use at home.

Think flooring

Flooring is often overlooked but is important. End users should be advised on floor protection such as chair mats, which protect carpeted, wooden or laminate flooring.

Keep it Tidy

Home offices can be kept neat with desks that offer built in cable management, or with the use of appropriate cable management accessories

What do I need to do as an employer?

Are you looking after your employee’s wellbeing? As an employer, you must protect your workers from the health risks of working with display screen equipment (DSE), such as PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Things to remember:

· Make sure employees take regular breaks –do something different.
· Provide training and information
· Check they have appropriate furniture and products? i.e. 8 hour chair, sit stand desks, ergonomics, lighting, headsets, management of documentation -GDPR, printer, and their consumables, scanner, shredder and secure storage

Be prepared!

Why not create bundle packs for necessities including notebooks, pens, post-it notes, desktop ranges, stapler, hole punch, letter trays, folders & files. Offer colours too! Provide an easy re-order process for your employees. Consider ways to prevent increase in expenses –fuel, online delivery charges. Offer more to your employees including coffee/tea, computer cleaning and toilet rolls.

View our range of Home Working Essentials HERE