Develop a plan
With the government planning to lift all COVID restrictions from the 19th of July companies now need to plan how their workers will return to the office. Not only will they need to ensure that COVID precautions are undertaken but they must also consider new working practices and changes to the office environment.
To develop an effective plan, employers need to determine how many workers will be coming into the office each day, how many will work from home (WFH) and how many may work in a ‘hybrid’ fashion where they spend some days working in the office and some days at home.
If workers are WFH, are their workstations truly well set up from an ergonomics perspective? Over the past year many people have had less than ideal desk set-ups and combined with poor working practices have developed discomfort.
Will workers be hot desking?
Offices are likely to have fewer desks available as they will need greater spacing to meet COVID guidelines. It is important to establish if workers will have an assigned workstation or will be hot desking.
If workers have taken home furniture (desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards etc.) from their office, will they be bringing it back or will it need replacing?
If hot desking, what will you be providing on the desktops for employees?
How will you accommodate workers with special needs?
Do you need to purchase new office furniture?
There is a lot to think about, but we are here to help. If new furniture or equipment is required for the office or a worker’s home office, we can advise on what would be suitable. We can also help to educate workers on the basics of a healthy ergonomic workstation set-up and healthy work practices.
Remember that in order to comply with the DSE regulations workers should have a risk assessment undertaken of their permanent workstations whether they are in the office or at home or both.
