For more information on the benefits and risk factors of ergonomics read our article on designing a comfortable workplace. Avoid glare from windows and direct light that can cause viewing discomfort. Position your laptop and/or monitors at a 90-degree angle from any windows. By improving workplace ergonomics, organizations demonstrate that they prioritize worker well-being. A healthy working environment is one of the pillars of employee wellness, and improving workplace ergonomics can help workers thrive in their roles. Workplace ergonomics is an essential preventive measure that employers can take to help foster better employee health.

Use a phone headset if you often talk on the phone during your workday. This will prevent you from cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder. The greatest perk of remote working is is ultimate flexibility. The Anywhere Work lifestyle is on that inspires and fosters creativity. But it also work from home ergonomics comes with a set of responsibilities that you, and only you are, accountable for. Remote work ergonomics is one of these important responsibilities, and just having an awareness of it will go a long way. With these easy steps you now have the power to ergonomically design your Anywhere Workplace.

Rest often.

Workplaces should also try to reduce the amount of noise pollution, echoes, and other disruptive sounds by having proper acoustic insulation. Adequate ventilation and ample fresh air also improve alertness.

However, if the toe kick isn’t deep enough, you may find yourself too far from the desk. That, in turn, will mean you’re overextending your arms or leaning too far forward, which could put pressure on your spine.

A Whole-Person Approach to Behavioral Health

Bad ergonomics, how your body moves and grooves at work, can contribute to a variety of factors including an injury at work—and now with telecommuting, also working from home. Depending on how many monitors you use, you’ll need to place them at different points on your desk.

You can use a separate keyboard and place the laptop at a comfortable monitor height and have a convenient height for typing. Using an external keyboard with your laptop will allow you to type close to yourself – arms at a 90 degree angle – but have the screen an arm’s length away and up at eye-level. Either use an external monitor or place your laptop up on a stand or set of coffee table books at eye level.

Learn how to create the most comfortable and productive work from home setup possible using these ergonomics tips.

One effective way to make mindfulness a habit is to set the alarm once every hour for you to check-in with your body. Learn how to improve your well-being at work and inject more joy into your work-from-home hours. Cake Insure is the premier workers’ comp choice for Colorado small businesses. With our quick online application, you can get a free policy quote in 90 seconds and coverage in just five minutes. Telecommuting is helping protect employers and workers from becoming infected with the coronavirus, a crucial goal during these challenging times.

Incorporate stretch breaks – changes in posture throughout the day. Schedule work and strategically place peripherals so that prolonged seated posture can be avoided (placing the printer in another room would necessitate a micro-break to get up and walk). Reduce the awkward postures of the neck, by placing the monitor at or slightly below the height while seated or standing.

Placing your keyboard at elbow height is only the beginning of proper keyboard ergonomics. To ensure you’ve got the right keyboard height, place the keyboard on your work surface then try to type a few lines. As you type, your wrists should remain straight, and your upper arms should stay close to your body, without you forcing it. Position your screen at a height so your eyes are looking at the top 1/3 of the screen. Use props (box, books, paper etc.) to raise laptop if you can’t adjust your monitor screen or laptop screen to the proper height. Laptop users tend to position their screen to low which leads to an awkward neck position. If the table is too high, raise the chair and try to recline by degrees.

For a productive, loyal and happy workforce, it will take that holistic approach to better serve and support the people who keep our organizations and economy going. Reduce eye strain, look away from screen at least every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds and look at something at least 20 feet away.