Working from home is becoming increasingly popular. Around 57% of employees in Belgium regularly work from home, usually one or more days a week. No less than 92% of these home workers say that working from home boosts their productivity and concentration, and that their work-life balance benefits too. It gives employees more autonomy, helping them feel relaxed and reducing absenteeism.
Yet working from home has its pitfalls when it comes to health. Many employees work at the kitchen table or on the sofa, furniture that is not ergonomically suitable for desk work. This can lead to physical complaints such as RSI and back and neck problems.
A home workstation should, in fact, comply with the legislation on display screen work. A height-adjustable office chair with an adjustable backrest is essential. A kitchen chair, therefore, will not do. Not sure which office chair suits you? Then use our chair selection tool. An observation and risk analysis of the workstation by an internal or external prevention service can determine the specific requirements the workstation must meet.
Just as in the office, the employer must also provide suitable equipment at home and support, such as a computer, office chair, internet connection... If employees provide these facilities themselves, they may be entitled to an expense allowance.
In short, a home workstation should meet the same requirements and offer the same facilities as a workstation in the office. It is important to take the health of home workers seriously and make sure they can work in an ergonomically sound environment.
Yet working from home has its pitfalls when it comes to health. Many employees work at the kitchen table or on the sofa, furniture that is not ergonomically suitable for desk work. This can lead to physical complaints such as RSI and back and neck problems.
A home workstation should, in fact, comply with the legislation on display screen work. A height-adjustable office chair with an adjustable backrest is essential. A kitchen chair, therefore, will not do. Not sure which office chair suits you? Then use our chair selection tool. An observation and risk analysis of the workstation by an internal or external prevention service can determine the specific requirements the workstation must meet.
Just as in the office, the employer must also provide suitable equipment at home and support, such as a computer, office chair, internet connection... If employees provide these facilities themselves, they may be entitled to an expense allowance.
In short, a home workstation should meet the same requirements and offer the same facilities as a workstation in the office. It is important to take the health of home workers seriously and make sure they can work in an ergonomically sound environment.