Must-Have Work-From-Home Equipment for Remote Jobs
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Remote workers rely on work-from-home equipment provided by their employers or purchased independently. No matter how workers obtain the equipment, the type and function of work-from-home equipment are important. The right office equipment can increase productivity, happiness and satisfaction.
About 45% of full-time employees in the United States worked remotely at the end of 2021.
In 2020, many workplaces closed or were otherwise unavailable for workers to enter, so working from home became the norm. Austin Belcak, the founder of Cultivated Culture, puts it well by saying, “In the Spring of 2020, companies were forced to send their workers home. Many of these companies had strict "in office" policies leading up to that point. They were terrified of what might happen... Then? The results started to come in. Unprecedented productivity. Record breaking revenue numbers. All of the headlines spoke about how these companies were flourishing under WFH.” Even though many companies expected this to only last for a short while, it has become increasingly common throughout 2022 and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Remote jobs are becoming the new normal for many industries, and many job seekers are looking for remote or hybrid positions.
Workers need to invest in high-quality, reliable office equipment to remain productive. Employees might have work-from-home equipment provided by their companies, while others need to make the investment themselves.
Regardless, even people working at a company with a hybrid model should have a good work-from-home office setup. Whether you’ve been working from home for a while or are just about to start a new work-from-home position, you need to make sure that you invest in the right equipment for success.
How Remote Work Alters Employee Needs
Many of those searching for a job today consider location and work environment of the utmost importance. People want a healthy work-life balance and having the opportunity to work from home promotes this idea.
However, remote workers face unique challenges because they are not in a shared space with everyone else at their company.
This is something that has made an impact since the start of the pandemic when many workers started working from home to protect others. Remote workers combine their personal and professional lives today by working from home.
Emily Liou, founder of CultiVitae, says, “Who am I as a present mom and career woman? I've found my answer: I realize that I'm both and so deeply integrated.”
“I've been trying to compartmentalize personal life and career when the truth is I don't ever shut off one or the other. Especially in this day and age where our offices bleed into our homes and vice-versa.”
Since work is at home, it all blends together. A dedicated workspace within the home is vital to promoting work-life balance.
Without a good working environment, workers are:
Creating a personalized, functional work-from-home office setup allows workers to do their best work remotely.
The Best Work-From-Home Equipment Provided
The necessities that remote workers need include:
There might be other essentials for specific jobs, such as a headset, but this depends on the industry. Paycor offers a useful “Remote Work Equipment Checklist” with some advice and suggested tools.
Other essentials also make work more relaxed for employees and self-employed individuals. When comfortable, they are more productive and content with their roles.
A few key items that will improve an employee’s work-from-home performance include:
Retractable or Adjustable Desks
While there is nothing wrong with using a traditional desk, more advanced desk options are available.
Adjustable desks allow workers to adjust the desk height to work while standing. Workers can increase blood flow and avoid sitting for long periods with adjustable desks.
Retractable desks have the added benefit of being foldable so that you can easily store them in a closet or on the side of the room when not in use. This is an excellent option for workers with limited space in their homes.
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Ergonomic Chairs
Imagine working at home from a stiff dining room chair. This chair would make a person fidget more to get comfortable or even leave their workstation just to get out of the uncomfortable position.
It is important for workers not to underestimate the importance of a good desk chair. Ergonomic options are great for someone that sits over long periods.
Generally, ergonomic equipment helps people create a suitable workspace. The science of ergonomics in an office setting relates to maximizing the arrangement and design of a work area to fit the worker’s needs.
An ergonomic chair allows a worker to have good posture and reduces the risk of back pain or injury. Adjustable ergonomic chairs are the best option to ensure workers can change the chair as needed to neutralize their spines and fit their body types.
If you want to explore more ergonomic office solutions, check out our recent #GetAhead piece, “6 Ways to Maximize Office Ergonomics”.
Monitors or Laptop Stands
A work-from-home office setup should include plenty of screen space to get work done on the computer. Many remote jobs rely on a laptop or desktop computer, so having a bigger monitor to see more at once and quickly access information makes an employee more productive.
If workers use a laptop, a laptop stand is beneficial to ensure workers are not straining their necks or backs to view the laptop’s screen.
Plugging a laptop into a larger monitor is also a good idea if an employee needs extra desk space or wants to use a regular mouse and keyboard. Work-from-home equipment provided by a company may include a monitor, but employees might purchase this themselves if they only receive a laptop.
Office Supplies
Portable data storage systems are helpful if an employee often plans to work away from home, such as at the local coffee shop or hotel. Other office supplies designed to increase convenience and support work tasks include:
Storage options, like a headphone holder or file cabinets, decrease desk clutter. These are a good investment for workers that plan to use a smaller desk.
People working from laptops might use wireless mice and keyboards connected via Bluetooth. Wireless options are great for keeping desktops free of clutter and can transport easier if a remote employee wants to work away from home.
Ergonomic wrist or elbow rests increase an employee’s comfort. They are also excellent for reducing strain and potential injury over time.
Other Work Environment Considerations
The room in which an employee chooses to work is critical. Factors to pay attention to include:
Natural light is an excellent option when possible but having a desk lamp with a soft bulb creates a nice atmosphere with enough brightness for a workspace. Employees should ensure lights are not adding glare to any monitors when setting up office lighting.
“Research suggests that natural light supports good health due to its direct effect on mood and mental alertness. It's one of the best freely available motivators. So, if possible, set up [your workspace] in a room with one or more windows,” says keynote speaker and author Todd Dewett Ph.D., in his popular LinkedIn Learning course, “Tips for Working Remotely”.
Working from home has the benefit of becoming a personalized space. Workers can control the temperature and humidity levels to create a comfortable workspace.
There is a fine line between having a nice amount of decoration in an office versus having a cluttered, distractible office. Ensure the space feels cozy and personalized without buying too many desk trinkets or wall art pieces.
Certain items, such as oil diffusers or noise machines, may help some workers concentrate better throughout the workday. These are up to the employee's discretion based on how they feel most productive.
Top Takeaways
Must-Have Work-From-Home Equipment for Remote Workers
(Reporting by NPD and Mariah Flores)
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2yInterested to join your team please revert back
Retired
2yErgonomic of work from home setup is very important, since the number one office worker injury is musculoskeletal. When I started working from home, I didn't hesitate to shop for used standup desk, external keyboard, mouse, and external monitors. I don't want to be a cripple after my work is done.