Do You Know Someone Making This Home Office Mistake - Again?

Do you know someone who sits behind a desk for hours at a time? 

My guess is, they will tell you the most important part of work would be the work setup. 

Staying comfortable matters. But, before you take their answer as it is, here’s a checklist for everything you need to make sure their home office is optimised for long hours of sitting. 

Is Their Chair at the Right Height? 

Here is some research conducted by Mayo Clinic. To maintain proper desk posture, the height of your chair should be adjusted so that their knees are level with their hips. 

Here’s how to do it: 

1. Pick a comfortable chair that supports their spinal curves. 
2. Adjust chair height so that their thighs are parallel to the floor and their feet rest flat on the ground. 
3. Adjust the armrest so that their arms rest nicely and shoulders are rolled backwards. Use a footrest if they are short and their feet dangles.
   
   

How Should Their Keyboard and Mouse be Positioned? 

It might not sound like a big deal now, but to avoid any concerns of stiffness or inflammation in the future, it’s vital that their wrists remain straight throughout the day and their hands at (or below) elbow level. 

Here’s some ergonomic advice from the department of Ergonomics at UCLA you could follow, and guide your loved one if necessary: 

1. Pull the keyboard close to you, and position it directly in front of your chest. 
2. Determine which section of the keyboard you use most frequently, and readjust the keyboard so that your shoulders are relaxed, your elbows are in a slightly open position (about a 100° angle), and your wrists and hands are straight. 
3. Place the mouse as close as possible to the keyboard.

How Is the Position of their Monitor? 

As a general rule of thumb, their monitor should always be one arm’s length away from their face. This is to keep a distance between their face and the screen. 

Here’s how Mayo Clinic says to position it for proper back and neck support: 

1. Place the monitor screen directly an arm’s length away, with the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level. 
2. The monitor should sit directly behind the keyboard. 
3. Reduce glare (and subsequent eye strain) by carefully positioning the screen away from overhead lights.

Where Are Their Desk Objects?

In order to remain comfortable (and ergonomically sound), where are they keeping their desk objects? UCLA says your go-to desk objects like the telephone, stapler, or printed documents—needs to stay close to your body to minimize reaching and overextending. 

Here are a few of their desk setup tips: 

1. Make sure their telephone is within easy reach. 
2. Place a document tray an arm’s length away, making it easy for them to access their papers. Use a headset or speakerphone as often as possible to minimize wrist use. 
3. Stand up to reach anything that can’t be comfortably reached while sitting.

If you know a loved one who is spending hours in front of the screen each day, please share this with them! Now that it’s CMCO, working from home is going to be intense for most people. Hopefully these simple #lifehacks can relieve some pressure from their busy work day!