The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have just updated their advice to say that employers have the SAME health and safety responsibilities for home workers as for any other workers, whether it is a temporary or permanent arrangement. I am hugely relieved that the HSE have now recognised that the new homeworkers need some help.
Much of my work these days is taken up with providing online homeworker support for those who have been working from home since lockdown. There has been a noticeable difference with those I see now, against those I advised at the beginning. Anyone with less than ideal set ups are really struggling, with pain affecting their ability to work effectively. The most common issues I am seeing are early RSI symptoms, lower back, shoulder and neck pain and headaches. However, all of these can be significantly reduced through some often simple but highly effective changes, such as screen heights, sitting at the right height, and having a good supportive chair..
It is all about finding bespoke solutions for each individual and really listening to their issues in order to be able to do this. For this reason, we employ expert ergonomists to help advise you on the right solution for each person, and a free follow up online call to ensure optimal use.
Even when we do return to the office, companies are reporting maintaining some working from home, with a form of hybrid working.
So it’s essential to take steps now to ensure your employees feel looked after when working from home, particularly as many are working harder than ever there, combined with far more intense periods of sitting and working at their computer (or indeed still having to work from their bed or sofa!).
To help out, we created a new homeworker chair, that includes all of the essentials needed in a good, adjustable ergonomic chair, but at an affordable price. Made in the UK still, in a wide variety of colours and fabrics, see here to find out more.
Or course, our fully upholstered orthopaedic chairs look great in the home too, with the slim backrest taking up less visual space than your standard office chair, and yet providing more support by encouraging an open chested posture. Available in a colour and fabric that fits in with your home. See here to find out more.
Looking after your homeworkers not only complies with the legislation but optimises their wellbeing and productivity levels to be preventing and reducing the risk of back pain interfering with their lives.
You can read the new HSE advice at: https://lnkd.in/eYkpCGt