Remote working became popular during the pandemic, and it looks like it’s here to stay. What began as a means of keeping businesses running while keeping employees safe, has now been accepted as a good way to boost productivity and promote a healthy work/life balance. Indeed, projections suggest that 25 per cent of all professional jobs in North America will be remote by the end of 2022, and remote opportunities will continue to increase through 2023. Below, we explore how you can keep yourself safe while working from home.
Hybrid working
One of the reasons why working from home looks set to stay is because of hybrid working. This refers to a schedule where you alternate working from your company’s office and your own home. For many businesses, this will be two days in the office per week. In this system, you get the benefit of coordinated work in person, while also enjoying the practicality of working from home on other days. This flexible system helps explain the growing popularity of working from home.
Where to work in your home
The location where you work in your home is important though. Personal injury specialists, National Accident Helpline, found that only 19 per cent of people have a proper home office that they use to work in. Instead, the room people use varies: 36 per cent use the living room, 18 per cent their bedroom, 14 per cent the dining room, 10 per cent the kitchen and four per cent the hallway. Ideally, once you know you’ll be working from home frequently, you should convert a room into an office. However, many people don’t have a suitable space, and this can contribute to common injuries.
Common injuries
There are some common injuries that you can expect from working from home. 27 per cent of home workers will suffer from back pain, making it a common complaint. Meanwhile, eye strain, neck pain and repetitive strain injury are less common but you should still be prepared to deal with these issues.
How to prevent injuries
One of the best ways to prevent injuries while working from home is through a good, ergonomic chair. By purchasing this piece of equipment, your back should have the ideal support for sitting eight hours a day. On top of this, you should align your chair with your desk so that your laptop sits at eye level and so that you have somewhere to comfortably rest your arms.
Working from home can make your life less stressful and help you become more productive. And by following the advice above, you can lower the risk of any injuries that might ruin this.
HR Future Staff Writer
