Since many of us are working at home right now (and weren’t expecting it), lots of people are improvising their “workstation.” For some, that means working at a desk, and for others, that means sitting on the couch or commandeering the kitchen table during work hours.
As the majority of us have had to adjust quickly to working remotely, setting up an ergonomically sound workstation and remembering to get up and stretch as often as possible is important. Here we provide tips and options to help.
Good habits to promote include, but are not limited to:
- Change your work position, chair height and angle, and keyboard position throughout the day.
- Look away from the screen periodically to focus on distant objects.
- Use the "ALT" functions on your keyboard where possible to reduce mouse use.
- Hold the phone with your non-writing hand or use a headset. Do not hold the phone with your chin and shoulder as this can lead to neck tension, headaches, and pinched nerves.
- Stand to reach items on shelves above your desk, rather than reaching from your chair.
- Squat or go to one knee while getting materials from bottom drawers or shelves.
Changing work habits takes time and dedication. Even a slight keyboard height change can initially feel awkward. If a change feels awkward, work using the modified arrangement for at least a week to give it a chance to become natural.
Our goal is to empower our employees with the knowledge to know how to set up your workstation whether you're at home or at work. Please join us for an ergonomic workshop and review our
Ergonomics Education webpage.
