QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY SET UP A HOME OFFICE FOR YOUR TEAM
Workplace design isn’t just about choosing stylish furnishings and art for the walls — it can have a tremendous effect on how well your employees work together.
5 Minutes Reading
How to Quickly and Efficiently Set Up a Home Office for Your Team
by Erica Garza
Each year, more and more Americans are working from home. As a business owner, you want your employees to be set up for success. Choosing the right furniture supplier is crucial in setting up a home office for your team and securing the best home office desks and accessories. To quickly and efficiently equip your team for an extended period of time, here is what you should look for in a supplier and what needs to be on your work-from-home checklist.
Choose Sit-Stand Desks for Health and Productivity
With health on everyone’s mind these days, choosing sit-stand desks for your employees is a solid choice. Research and medical trials show that sit-stand desks may help boost work productivity. In fact, “users of stand-capable desks were 45% more productive on a daily basis compared to their seated counterparts,” according to a study on the subject.
If electric standing desks exceed your budget, consider converters, which turn any desk or table into a standing desk with a fully-assembled desktop riser, making the most of what your employees already have at home. Be sure to find out how easy it is for a person to assemble and set up their desk or riser at home. After all, you don’t want to pay for your team’s home office desk only to have your employees spend hours attempting to set it up.
Opt for Ergonomic Seating
While standing mats are ideal for standing desks, you want employees to be as comfortable as possible when they do sit down. From an active seat, which allows for dynamic movement while sitting and standing, to an ergonomically designed task seat with headrest, choose seating that will keep employees engaged and aligned throughout the work day.
Check the Return Policy
What if the desk, chair, converter, or other accessory doesn’t work out as planned? Ensure you’re buying products from a supplier that offers risk-free returns in case you’re not happy with your purchase.
Check How Quickly Your Supplier Can Ship
Before you start filling your online shopping carts with furniture and office supplies for your employees, ensure that the supplier is capable of delivering—and delivering quickly—during this tumultuous time. This ensures your business can keep running smoothly as team members’ needs are met, no matter how dispersed they are. Once you’ve confirmed that your supplier can ship in a matter of days, it’s time to pick out the items that will benefit your team the most.
Don’t Forget the Tech
From a reliable computer or laptop with good internet connection to chat and conferencing applications, there are a number of factors that ensure a workspace is technologically effective. While most companies already offer cloud-based technology for day-to-day operations and cross-team collaboration, you’ll also probably need to set up virtual private networks (VPNs) to provide secure access to the corporate network. Employers should ensure they have the latest tech available to employees to facilitate remote work, including security software to protect sensitive data.
In addition to supplying work-from-home equipment, employers should be prepared to educate employees about organizing their time at home, including adhering to a working schedule, virtually socializing with co-workers to boost morale, and having accessibility to managers when needed.
Erica Garza is an author and essayist from Los Angeles. Her writing has appeared in TIME, Health, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and VICE.