It’s been almost eighteen months since the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a pandemic and life as we knew it was turned upside down in a myriad of ways, not least of which being the way we work.

Remote work was normalised almost overnight and it seems unlikely that we will ever revert back to the pre Covid expectation of a 9 to 5 office based workday again. In fact many major tech companies including Google, Facebook and Slack believe that remote work is “the future” and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey announced that his employees “can now work from home forever.” Other companies are favouring a more hybrid work model, which according to a consumer survey conducted by Accenture is favoured by 83% of people. But wherever it lands, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to reimagine the way we do our jobs and it seems that the option to work from home is here to stay.

While for many, working from home offers flexibility and a multitude of advantages; it has also given rise to a raft of complex challenges. One such challenge is the limited capacity of many people to configure a dedicated workspace within their home that promotes productivity and adheres to ergonomic principles that will protect and promote long-term health and safety.

According to an Empirica research study, only two in five Australians who are working from home have a dedicated office or study to work from. One quarter are not using a desk and 67 percent are without a desk chair. Since Covid reared its ugly head, everyone has had to adapt and improvise, but as the dust settles on a ‘new normal’ it is time to shine a spotlight on the importance of an ergonomical ‘home based’ workspaces and the long-term health and safety implications of not having one.

Hermione Stewart, director of UCI and Home Office Study believes that “you cannot underestimate the importance of a well designed work space and investing in ergonomical office furniture. Chronic neck and back pain, headaches and reduced productivity are just some of the possible side effects of a poor workspace setup.” In addition to the right furniture and desk set up there are several other tips to help you set up a safe workspace. Registered osteopath, Alana Smarrelli suggests “the monitor should be placed directly in front of you at eye level, the keyboard and mouse positioned to allow you to rest your elbows at 90 degrees (so that you are not reaching forward), and the chair should be adjustable with good lumbar support.”

Of course, not everyone is in a position to convert a whole room of their home into an office and the team at Home Office Study understand that. Drawing on over fifty years experience, they are experts in coming up with creative solutions. Whether it’s a desk that folds away into a cupboard when not in use, clever and stylish partitioning ideas to divide work and living spaces or their huge selection of ergonomically designed desks and chairs that will suit every budget. The team at Home Office Study are here to support you from start to finish and create the perfect solution for your unique space.

Written by Angela Galloway for Home Office Study