# Do You Want Your Dining Room Table Back?
After months of makeshift home offices and kitchen table conferences, it's time to address the elephant in the room: working from home isn't going anywhere, but your current setup might be doing more harm than good.
Tangram's Second Safest Workplace webinar series launched in June with insights from industry experts Kevin Butler (Steelcase Senior Ergonomist), Christina Manville (Lockton Insurance Corporate Broker), and Rebecca Steketee (Steelcase Global Director of Digital Ventures). Their mission? Help organizations create sustainable work-from-home solutions that actually work.
## The Reality Check: Most Home Offices Aren't Working
The numbers tell a sobering story about remote work setups:
- Only **32%** of remote workers have a secondary monitor - Just **17%** work at an adjustable-height surface - Only **29%** have an ergonomic chair - A mere **30%** describe their home workspace as comfortable - **50%** work at a proper desk (meaning half don't)
These statistics reveal a troubling disconnect between the permanence of remote work and the temporary solutions most people are still using.
## Smart Organizational Approaches to Home Office Support
Forward-thinking companies are implementing three main strategies:
### 1. Direct Stipends Google led the charge by providing $1,000 per employee for home office furniture and tools. This approach gives workers flexibility while demonstrating organizational commitment to their wellbeing.
### 2. Curated Furniture Catalogs Some organizations partner with furniture manufacturers to offer pre-selected, ergonomically sound options. This ensures quality while streamlining the selection process for employees.
### 3. Office-to-Home Relocations Companies allow employees to take their existing office furniture and equipment home, ensuring continuity and proper ergonomics.
## Implementation Best Practices
**"If you have no idea what you're going to do tomorrow, know that you are not alone,"** says Kevin Butler. For organizations just starting their work-from-home programs, consider these steps:
- Assign an in-house HR representative or risk manager to facilitate the transition - Offer virtual one-on-one assessments with employees - Invest in affordable online training and assessment tools - Remember that **at-home incidents make up one-third of worker compensation claims**
## Your Home Office Safety Checklist
### Physical Setup 1. **Adjust shoulder posture** - Add a cushion to your chair and let your shoulders drop naturally 2. **Position your screen properly** - The top should be at or slightly below eye level, arm's length away (stack books under your laptop if needed) 3. **Invest in external peripherals** - A separate keyboard and mouse make the biggest ergonomic difference for the lowest cost 4. **Move regularly** - Build stretching and movement breaks into your day
### Mental Health Considerations
**"Mental health is just as important for providing a healthy work environment,"** emphasizes Christina Manville. Zoom fatigue is real, and supporting staff mental health is as crucial as providing ergonomic equipment.
**Wellness strategies include:** - Getting dressed each morning - Maintaining a designated work area - Scheduling walks into your day - Taking virtual coffee breaks with teammates - Keeping regular office hours - Planning proper meals and snacks - Setting a firm work cut-off time
## The Power of Mantras
**"Mantras are extraordinarily effective if you choose the right one and stay diligent in using it,"** notes Butler. Consider adopting phrases like:
- *Move more, move often* - *My next posture is my best posture* - *I've done enough*
## Moving Forward
The transition to permanent remote and hybrid work models requires intentional planning and investment. Organizations that proactively address both the physical and mental health aspects of home offices will see better employee satisfaction, reduced injury claims, and improved productivity.
Your dining room table served admirably during the emergency transition, but it's time to create spaces that support long-term success. The future of work includes the home—let's make sure it's designed for wellbeing.