Bringing work home could affect your health

Taking work out of the office could have long-term effects on your health, according to new research. The study by online retailer Furniture123.co.uk showed that while 41% of employees admitted to taking work home with them at least once a week, less than one in five have an appropriate home setup.

Almost a quarter surveyed confessed that they work from their sofa at home, with concerns that workers could be at risk of repetitive strain injury and back injuries as a result of poor posture for an extended time. 32% said that they didn’t have the space for a more professional setup at home, with the youngest generation being among the biggest offenders.

Just 18% of those aged 18-24 worked from a desk, but those in the communications industry fared even worse at 17%. Of those surveyed, 25% and below in marketing and professional services like law and accountancy industries were likely to have a desk in their home, while those working in government or creative jobs were much more likely to work from appropriate furniture.

For Furniture123, being properly equipped at home is top priority.

“The odd hour or two slumped in front of a laptop on the sofa might not seem like it will cause a big problem in the long term,” said Furniture123 marketing manager Mark Kelly, who hopes the company can provide a solution to discomfort when working from your home.

“It is vital that, if working from home is a regular thing, workers have a proper office chair and either a desk or laptop to work from, to allow them to ensure their screen or laptop is at the correct height, their posture will remain straight and their arms will be at the right angle while typing. All of these are vital to preventing some of the problems associated with computer-based working.”