Setting up your Workstation

A lot of jobs in the Growth Company involve using a computer for large parts of the day, even more so now that working from home and meetings via video call have become a large part of the way we work. It is important that you have your workstation set up correctly at home, as you would in an office, to help prevent aches and pains.

When setting up your workstation, first think about the space you’re going to use. Is the workspace big enough for the equipment you need to do your job? Is there adequate lighting to enable you to see your laptop and anything else you are using?

Next, think about the chair you are using. The chair should be the correct height for the desk/work surface. Your feet should be flat on the floor and your knees bent roughly at 90 degrees. Your back should be against the back of the chair and be adequately supported. Your lower arm should be parallel to the ground and your wrists resting on the desk.

Finally, you should think about the position of your screen. The top of the screen should be roughly level with your eyes. If your screen is not high enough you could use books or a reem of paper to lift it up. You could also use a laptop riser if you have one. If you have lifted your laptop off the table, you will need an external mouse and keyboard. These can be requested from IT via the self-service portal.

There are lots of great resources online about how to set up your workstation online, including a video produced by the Health and Safety Executive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af7q5j14muc

The Display Screen Equipment form asks questions about your workstation set-up and provides guidance on how it can be improved. If you require any specialist equipment for your workstation please contact your line manager.

Please feel free to contact the Health and Safety team at hs-info@growthco.uk for any of the following:

• If you are experiencing pain whilst using your workstation and would like further advice on how to set up your workstation
• If you have a medical condition that you would like to be specifically assessed in relation to your workstation
• If you have any other questions or need advice