Whether you are working in the office or working from home, the same rules apply towards ergonomics and your posture. We are sure that by having worked from home for a few weeks now, you must have felt the strain already and will have tried to make changes accordingly?

We trust that these tips from BakkerElkhuizen will help you to improve your posture when working from home and upon return into the office as well.

Tips for good (home) office design

Good seating position

Chair height: feet flat on the ground with your knees at an angle 90-110º. If necessary, use a footrest if you are unable to adjust the height of your desk yourself.
Desk height: at elbow height so that you sit in a relaxed position.
Armrest height: just below desk height so that you can move close enough to the desk to work comfortably.
Tilt the backrest of your chair back a little for good support. The backrest should be set at an angle of between 90º and 120º.
Screen height : top of the screen a little below eye height. Use a monitor support or flat screen arm if necessary.
Distance to screen: at least arm’s length. Use an external monitor of at least 19 inches, and an external keyboard and mouse.

Healthy laptop use

Avoid using a laptop for long periods of time (>2 hours a day) without measures to improve comfort. Use a laptop holder or additional screen with an external keyboard to reduce the strain on your neck and increase your comfort.

Work ‘in-line’

Place documents, tablet or smartphone in line with the screen at a slight incline in order to facilitate reading without having to angle or arch your neck. Use a in-line document holder.

Mouse in line with the shoulder

Avoid having to reach for the mouse; use a compact keyboard, with a separate number pad that can also be positioned on the left if necessary. Increase productivity by also using a separate compact keyboard when working on a laptop or tablet.
For extra comfort, use a large heat-insulating mouse mat. The mouse
cursor moves smoothly across the screen on any table and the mouse hand stays warm.

Multiple monitors

Work with two monitors if you regularly work with multiple applications at the same time. Place the screen you use most straight in front of you. If you often have to compare data from several applications, then place both screens in front of you.

Let’s WORK & MOVE

Use a chair with a tilting mechanism. Small tilting movements keep you fit.
Alternate between standing and sitting. Use a sit-stand desk.
Leave your workstation regularly and take a short walk. This increases your concentration and mental agility. Take a walk of at least 3 minutes every hour.
Choose a workstation that suits your activities. From a meeting to brainstorming, from focused work to teamwork.
Give your brain an opportunity to exercise and relax. Regular pit stops increase your energy levels, concentration & performance.