Introduction

There has been a surge in the number of individuals working from home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the U.K. lockdown period that began in March. According to the Office of National Statistics, in April 2020, 46.6% of those in employment did some of their work from home, with the large majority (86.0%) of these workers stating that this was due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

At first, numerous employees reveled in the idea of not having to come in to work to get work done. This novelty has worn off for many employees as they have come to the realization that working from home has its disadvantages.

As coronavirus cases in the U.K. are once again on the rise, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has put restrictions in place to control the spread of Covid19.

Image depicting employee working from home during covid19 pandemic

One of the new regulations stipulates that where possible, employees should opt to work from home. Doing so should reduce the rate of infection and reduce the need for tighter restrictions to be put in place.

Bearing in mind these considerations, we have seen the need to explore the impact working from home has had on employees. Watch Video Here.

Communication

Ineffective communication is one of the biggest issues being faced by employees working from home. Adjusting from working in a close-knit office space to working from home has forced organisations to reassess the way they approach and manage tasks. Applications such as Zoom, and Microsoft Teams have skyrocketed in the number of daily users. Since March, the number of Microsoft Teams daily users has increased from 44 million to 75 million. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the latest figures during the company’s Q3 2020 earnings call. In our recent blog post, we discuss the features of Microsoft Teams that make it an ideal choice for remote workers as well as office workers.

Even though these applications make working from home easier, some employees still struggle to be productive whilst working from home. This is because it is extremely easy to be distracted in the environment you are most comfortable in. In speaking to a friend about her experience, she shared that working from home was hard for her as she was unable to “shut down” after working. She shared that working in an office space allows you to walk away from your work at the end of the day, giving you an opportunity to wind down. Transitioning from working productively at tasks from 9 to 5 and then finding time to relax at the end of the day can be hard when you are unable to escape the environment you are working in.   

Lack of Appropriate Tools

Although, working from home has its advantages, tasks can be made difficult for employees that do not have the right tools to work with. Not all employees can afford the luxuries of a home office. As such, many employees working from home opt to work from areas that are best suited for them. A recent article shared that one couple working from home found themselves alternating sitting around the dining table and even the floor in the hallway to facilitate their work. One can imagine the impact this will have on one’s posture and overall health in the long term. Likewise, those employees that are required to maintain confidentiality working from home can become a great challenge. To address these issues Niche Office Solutions Ltd currently has special offers for ergonomic office supplies and furniture.

No Human Interaction

While virtual meetings are commonplace, working from home means employees have little to no face to face interaction. Additionally, for some, virtual meetings on platforms such as Zoom can be more draining than rewarding.

Travel Time

The reduced need for the hustle and bustle during the commute to work is a key benefit for those working at home. Research shows that the commute to work can contribute to employee’s stress and anxiety. Working from home alleviates the cost of travelling to and from work. Not only that the time taken to get ready for work let alone the travel time is gravely reduced as well.  

Autonomy

It is undeniable that employees working from home have more autonomy. Communication management systems and platforms such as Nimble CRM, and Monday make team management simpler. Even so, working from home gives employees more freedom to plan out their tasks and complete work in their own time.

Tools Needed for Employees Working from Home

Niche Office Solutions Ltd supplies to over 85% of the NHS, we have access to over 207‚000 essential healthcare equipment within 136 categories. Research conducted by Fellowes earlier this year shows that overtime sitting at unsuitable workstations can have dire consequences on one’s physical posture and overall health. Click here 

In response to the increase in numbers of those working from home, Niche Office Solutions Ltd has seen the need to provide items that make working from home easier.

Several businesses are seriously considering allowing their employees to work from home even after Covid19 is brought under control. To facilitate this however, suitable equipment will be required.

Ergonomic solutions

Ergonomic products are designed to offer comfort, functionality, and support. Research indicates that maintaining the right posture whilst working is critical for productivity, the brain functioning and one’s overall health both in the short-term and long-term. Improper equipment can lead to muscular pains and other health issues such as headaches, back pain, poor circulation, and constricted nerves.

We supply a wide range of ergonomic products including office, industrial, bariatric, executive and comfort chairs; Durable tablet holders, privacy filters, ergonomic mice and keyboards, sit-stand desks, and accessories. We believe that the right tools are essential to ensuring work satisfaction and productivity.

Webcams 

As mentioned, virtual meetings have largely replaced face to face communication is a great tool for making video calls from a laptop or personal computer. To view our range of webcams click here.

Headsets 

These tools are convenient for staff members that need to maintain confidentiality even whilst working from home. Noise cancelling headsets make it easy for individuals to work without disruptions. To view our range of headsets click here.

In conclusion, whilst it has its benefits, working from home can be challenging for some. As many companies explore the option of allowing their employees to work from home even after Covid19 subsides, these challenges must be addressed. With the right tools, working from home can become a pleasant and rewarding experience.

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