After the COVID pandemic, the work-from-home culture has become an integral part of many organizations. As per the Global Survey of Working Arrangements (G-SWA), UK employees now work from home about 1.8 days a week, which is more than the global average of 1.3 days. That’s why home-based workers must have all the necessary equipment to run the business smoothly.
A well-planned working space setup helps both remote and hybrid workers feel at ease and stay productive. While the list is too long, there are a few things that cannot be ignored. One of the essential things that remote workers often miss is financial protection, as they think their home insurance covers their home office, but in most cases, it doesn’t.
Therefore, a non-standard home insurance policy becomes a top priority to protect against future problems in a remote setup.
Why Home-Based Workers Should Have A Basic Set-Up
Before jumping to the list, I would like to draw your attention to its necessity. Since many remote workers think that it is okay to work without a setup, a pillow can work as a table, and the bed can be a permanent desk. Well, that’s not an ideal thing to do if you are a home-based worker.
While remote workers have benefits like flexible working hours and travel, they also face challenges such as setting up a proper working space that not only enhances productivity but also does not compromise their health. Apart from these, you also need to make sure that your working space is insured against security lapses.
1. Fast Internet Service With Quality Tech
For a remote worker, the internet is the first thing that should be on their priority list. If you don’t have a reliable internet connection, you won’t be able to work and be productive, even after spending hours at your workstation. Apart from the fast internet connection, there should be quality devices, internet backup options, and tech accessories that work smoothly with your internet.
Reliable Internet Connectivity
There should not only be a fast but also a reliable broadband connection for video calls, quick file sharing, cloud apps, and online meetings without any problems. A bad internet connection will hamper your work, and seeing a lot of internet buffering will frustrate you, for sure! That’s why remote workers should consider:
- Always have devices for backup internet: Don’t rely on one power source for your internet. In case of a power cut, make sure you have mobile data, an inverter connection to your Wi-Fi, or a data dongle to keep your work running smoothly.
- Placement of the router: It is essential to have a quality router and place it strategically to get high-speed internet connectivity. You can put it near your workstation for better connection.
Quality Tech Devices with Accessories
There should be a primary device, such as a laptop or desktop, that supports your remote work. To enhance your work area, you can have monitors, a mouse, a keyboard, etc. It will help you to work with more focus and ease the working experience at home. In addition to these, you can have these basic accessories:
- Noise-cancelling headphones: Having headphones is an excellent idea if you have frequent meetings or need to focus while working.
- Hard drives: If you have a lot of data, you can have external hard drives. If you don’t want a physical drive, you can also opt for cloud storage for data backup.
- Web camera & microphone: Just like headphones, remote workers should also have a web camera for better visibility and a professional microphone for frequent video conferencing.
- UPS: You can also have UPS to protect your workflow from uncertain power cuts.
2. Workspace Furniture Setup
After setting up devices and the internet, remote workers should focus on arranging their furniture. This is not only important but crucial because you will be spending most of your time on it.
If not chosen correctly, you will suffer from neck pain, cramps, and discomfort while working late hours. Currently, there are many work-friendly furniture pieces available in the market that you can add to your home setup to enhance your overall productivity.
Furniture Essentials For Remote Working Space
- Ergonomic Chair: Having a good and comfortable chair is mandatory. So, you can buy an ergonomic chair instead of a simple one. This chair features a comfy seat and neck support that helps you sit for extended periods without discomfort or compromising your posture.
- Working Desk: A desk is another essential piece of furniture that must be included in a working setup. It is necessary to consolidate all your working devices, files, and other essentials in one location. However, while choosing the desk, make sure that the desk aligns with your elbows when typing on the keyboard or laptop. Otherwise, typing will stress your elbows..
- Monitor Screen: If your work needs constant reading, attention to details, or you have weak eyesight, you can have monitor screens attached to your desktop for better visibility.
- Desk Lamps for night work: Last but not least, you can have a desk lamp added to your working space for better lighting during evenings and late-night work.
3. Insurance Coverage
While home-based workers do invest in expensive tech and furniture, they often overlook the financial security aspect. Most remote workers assume that their regular home insurance will cover any loss or damage to these items.
However, in reality, standard home insurance typically does not cover business-related equipment, work-related accidents, or client-related risks. That’s why it is essential to have non-standard home insurance. Such policies include-
- Protection for expensive work-related devices and technological equipment.
- Coverage for business liability in case of accidents involving clients or contractors.
- Flexibility for unconventional working arrangements (e.g., storing goods at home).
Final Words
As remote working has become a standard for many businesses, home-based workers must invest in reliable infrastructure and equipment. Reliable tech, a comfortable setup, and strong online security are all key to making home-based work sustainable.
While the list is too long, a financial security plan is a must-have. However, you can now include a standard home insurance from a reliable institution to safeguard your workplace set-up from sudden events.