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Patrick Crowder
Working from home is rapidly becoming more accepted, and for many people it is a good change. However, a 1,000-employee survey conducted by Fellowes Brands suggests that more than half don’t have the equipment they would have in a traditional office.
Of the employees surveyed, 58 per cent said that they do not work from a home office, instead opting to work from the kitchen, living room, or bedroom.
Not having a dedicated home office can lead to problems. Desk chairs are designed ergonomically for long-term use, unlike other chairs around the house which could encourage bad posture and cause back issues down the line. Additionally, lack of an enclosed office space can allow all manner of distractions to creep in causing a loss of productivity. Productivity expert Martin Geiger explained the issue: “Throughout my career working with some of the world’s biggest companies, one thing I’ve come to notice is that the most productive people all seem to have one commonality: satisfaction. To successfully transition to this exciting hybrid working future, employers must implement practical strategies that allow their employees to be satisfied with the setup within the corporate office, as well as within their home working environment.”
While a temporary home set-up may have been suitable as a stopgap measure to ride out the pandemic, more permanent solutions must be found if WFH is going to continue to succeed. Seven out of ten employees believe that their employer is responsible for giving them the tools they need to work from home, and 81 per cent say that the ergonomics that come with a proper home office are essential to productivity.
“The future of work is hybrid. No longer is working solely relegated to the company office; the modern workspace now involves employees splitting a portion of their time working from within the corporate office, and a portion working from the home office,” Geiger continued. “Employees who are well equipped and thus satisfied with their working conditions in both locations will lead to outcomes of higher productivity.”
As the transition to remote working continues, there will surely be issues to iron out. Providing the tools needed to be productive will solve one of these problems, and based on the evidence, it looks like investing in equipment for WFH employees is a small price to pay.
Credit: https://www.fellowes.com/us/en
