By John Groves, DPT
Chief Executive Officer, Fit For Work
When the COVID-19 pandemic fully broke out in the first half of 2020, employees began working from home in never-before-seen numbers. On top of the global challenges of the day, this also brought its own share of difficulties in adjusting to the new regular workday.
The many variables of the at-home work environment, the adjacent presence of spouses and children, and the removal of the standardized, 9-to-5 office setting mounted in new pains and frustrations for workers in many different industries.
And for many employees, remote work became and remained the new norm.
Remote Work Is Here to Stay
In the years since the pandemic began, most workforces have largely returned to their traditional settings, although many are still opting to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities on a permanent basis. In fact, managers expect 22.9 percent of the workforce to be fully remote in 2025 – almost double the amount from before the pandemic.
While having the option to work remotely on occasion does appeal to most employees today, being forced to do so exclusively for a prolonged period of time can leave many employees exposed to substandard office setups for months on end.
The Non-standardized Remote Work Environment
Employees working from home have begun experiencing a new range of ergonomic issues, due primarily to the lack of standardization we’ve come to know and expect in the traditional workplace. In the office, factors like work surface heights are generally controlled and consistent, and employees are able to work comfortably and focus before heading home for the evening.
At home, these factors are much more variable, and home life becomes much more intertwined with work life throughout the course of the day. Employees with families may frequently relocate to different areas of the house as the workday goes on.
This relocation lends itself to a variety of ergonomic issues, as workers are interacting with several different work environments – none of which have been optimized or standardized for comfort or productivity.
The solution is ErgoHome™ – a personalized, one-on-one resource designed to help your remote workers achieve optimal comfort and productivity through professional ergonomic support.
Boost Remote Productivity and Morale with ErgoHome™
In addition to providing Early Intervention for your onsite workforce , Fit For Work also offers one-on-one support for remote workers designed for their unique environment. Our Ergonomic Specialists provide in-depth evaluation, analysis, and recommendations that an ergonomic app or checklist cannot provide , ensuring each remote employee receives the support they need to remain successful.
Scheduling via ErgoHome™ is a snap, with no long forms to fill out or preliminary tasks to complete prior to your virtual appointment. This has been an easy and effective way for us to provide inexpensive assistance to employers with their WFH workforce.
Contact Fit For Work today to begin providing your remote and hybrid employees with the ergonomic support they need to achieve optimal health and productivity.
