Remote work is a concept that has become widely accepted today since the global pandemic happened. Both managers-employers and employees are doing what they can to navigate COVID-19 by engaging in flexible working arrangements for their companies to meet needs and make money.
Almost all industries were affected and had to make the immediate transition to a work-from-home set-up. For instance, real estate agents who have a Donnybrook land for Sale in Victoria had to rethink their strategies and make virtual open house tours.
The adaptation was very quick that most people didn’t give workplace health and safety measures any careful thought under the assumption that the home is the safest place to be.
New Risks Remote Working Brings
Physical Risks
Your home set-up may not measure up to certain workplace standards you’re used to when you’re at your office or facility. Other than getting the right temperature to keep you productive, you also might have to deal with poor lighting conditions that could be strenuous to your eyes.
Since most accidents are statistically found to occur at home, other threats include the typical ones you face daily such as electrical safety, clutter, and other common home injuries. If there is an ongoing renovation or remodeling project at your place, that also adds to your risks.
Psychosocial Risks
With most folks locked up at home away from their workmates, this set-up could result in certain emotional and mental issues. Isolation can bring about feelings of loneliness and disconnectedness. The reduced social support they get from managers and colleagues can take its toll and cause them to experience fatigue and depression. The possibility of domestic violence is also present as well as online harassment.
Preventive Measures Against Remote Work Risks
Whether you’re working from your kitchen table or your private study, you need to ensure that your environment is conducive to remote work. You need to make the necessary adjustments to guarantee optimum performance away from the office.
- Get the right work chair. Your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees aligned to your hips. Provide a pillow for your back for lumbar support.
- Keep all you need for work within your reach. This will prevent any unnecessary stretching on your part.
- Keep your wrists in a neutral position when you type.
- Have the proper lighting. Avoid glare which can put a tremendous amount of strain on your eyes.
- Keep your computer screen at arm’s length.
- Check-in with your colleagues from time to time to maintain human interaction, even if it’s in a virtual setting.
- Check that your smoke detectors and fire extinguisher are in good working condition. Replace batteries on smoke detectors if necessary. Make sure you also know how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
- Get rid of clutter in your home, especially around your work area. You wouldn’t want to have an injury from slipping on a toy car or stepping on a few Lego pieces.
- Have an evacuation plan in case of a fire.
- Stop work when your shift is over. It is important to still find a balance between work and life. Too much work will exhaust you and could lead to burnout.
Working from home may be a convenient and safer alternative to going to the office during this time but this also presents certain health risks that you did not have to worry about before. The important thing is you’re aware of the risks and you do what you can to address it so that you stay as, or even more, productive doing remote work.
