Propping yourself up in bed with your laptop is OK for an hour of work during the ‘situation normal’ scenario, but it isn’t a great solution for working from home during Covid-19.
What you really need is a purpose-built workstation that allows you to sit comfortably, see the screen easily and finish the day without aches and pains. Whether your instrument of choice is a laptop or a desktop computer, here’s a step by step guide to getting it right.
Step 1: Get a decent chair
At work you probably have a workstation chair that’s fully adjustable. At home you might be getting by with a dining chair. Here are a few tips to help with your chair choice and set up:
Step 2: Position the chair at a flat work surface
Your work surface might be the dining table or it could be an office niche with a built in desk. Either way, you need to set it up for ergonomic correctness.
Step 3: Position your screen/s
For all-day working, a desktop computer is better for your body than a laptop. It also means you can run an extra screen to improve productivity. Here’s how to position your screens:
Are you working from a breakfast bar?
If the breakfast bar is the only work space you can find it your home, you’ll be perched on a barstool. Use the foot rest and take plenty of breaks, or your posture’s going to suffer. Another option is to use the breakfast bar as a standing desk. To do this, put your keyboard and screen on a large box. Check that your elbows are by your side when you’re typing.
Can't make it work ergonomically? Order essential home office furniture online
To help New Zealanders work from home. the government has allowed us to offer work-from-home essentials, including office chairs, tables, workstations and height-adjustable desks. Check out our range. We can dispatch most items within 48 hours of ordering, and shipping is free for most orders.