Setting up your workstation correctly
Setting up the office is a complex task. The workstation plays a special role. Well-being, ergonomics, and productivity—today's workstation must meet numerous requirements. We have summarized for you what is necessary for an optimal setup for your employees and provide simple tricks to transform the workstation into a productive environment.
What office equipment is part of a workplace?
Workplace equipment includes everything that is necessary to perform the tasks. This includes furniture, technical devices, and work equipment. In addition to the basic equipment that is necessary for every workplace, the specific requirements may vary depending on the area of responsibility.
The standard equipment of the workplace includes:
Desk
A large desk provides sufficient space for all work equipment and frequently used tools. The legal minimum dimensions are 160 centimeters in width and 80 centimeters in depth. This ensures that all equipment and tools can be stored on the desk and that there is sufficient freedom of movement.
Height-adjustable desks further contribute to ergonomics in the workplace. They offer two key advantages:
- On the one hand, they can be individually adapted to the respective sitting position and thus enable comfortable working at all times.
- In addition, they enable the change between sitting and standing work, which relieves the back.
Office chair
A comfortable office chair is also a must in the workplace. Swivel chairs have become the standard. Thanks to their freedom of movement and numerous adjustment options, professional office swivel chairs can be optimally adjusted to the individual sitting position.
High-quality models enable customization in terms of
- the seat height
- the inclination angle of the backrest
- the angle of the armrest.
A lumbar support provides additional support for the back and thus promotes a relaxed sitting posture.
Workstation computer
Whether it's spreadsheets, image editing or communication, working in the office is no longer possible without a computer in this day and age. Which device is used depends very much on the area of responsibility.
For employees who work exclusively at the workplace, a desktop computer is usually the appropriate solution. Employees who frequently work on the move or in projects, on the other hand, need portable laptops. In times of hybrid work, in which more and more people regularly switch between the office and home office, a laptop is also useful in order to have easy access to all required documents from anywhere at any time.
The same applies to the technical equipment of the devices. A high-end device is not necessary for simple office tasks. For work in the graphics area or when analyzing complex data, on the other hand, state-of-the-art technology is essential in order to work productively.
Lighting for well-being
In addition, appropriate lighting at the workplace is also part of the necessary basic equipment. If possible, the workplace should be located near a window to ensure sufficient natural daylight. However, if this is not possible, suitable lighting is required. Ceiling lights provide sufficient basic lighting. At the workplace, lighting can be individually adjusted using floor and table lamps. Floor lamps provide indirect light for a more comfortable atmosphere, while table lamps provide sufficient brightness in specific areas.
In addition to these basic elements, there is other office furniture and technology that are more or less important depending on the field of activity. These include:
Sufficient storage space
Sticky notes, folders and coffee cups on the table may encourage creativity in some cases. But clutter is one thing above all else – the enemy of effective and productive work. In order to always keep things tidy and at the same time have everything you need within reach, sufficient storage space should be available.
Storage compartments on the desk for important documents may be sufficient. Roll containers at the desk offer additional space for storing work equipment or frequently used documents. If more space is needed, file shelves or sideboards should be available at the workplace. This allows documents or rarely used equipment to be stored away.
Printers & Copiers
If documents often have to be printed, scanned or copied, it is advisable to have your own device directly at the workstation. In this way, regular trips to the central printer can be avoided and time saved. Multifunctional devices can perform several functions and are therefore more cost- and space-saving.
Accessories for more productivity
The technical equipment of the workstation is completed with peripheral devices. They help to complete tasks more comfortably and quickly. With a large monitor, data can be captured and transferred more quickly.
Keyboard and mouse support ergonomics at the workplace. A headset that blocks out external noise helps you to concentrate on your work.
Privacy and sound protection
The trend toward open-plan offices promotes communication and collaboration within the company. At the same time, this also increases noise levels compared to individual offices. Acoustic solutions such as room dividers or desk partitions improve sound insulation in the office and help employees to concentrate on their work. They also act as privacy screens, providing greater privacy.
Hygiene in the workplace
The topic of hygiene in the workplace has become enormously important due to the spread of the SARS-CoV 2 virus. But even without a global pandemic, hygiene should be given the necessary attention at all times.
These include, on the one hand, organizational measures, such as
- limiting the number of employees who can be in the office at the same time or
- Minimum distances of 1.5 m between individual workstations, for example with the help of floor markings.
With additional equipment, hygiene can be further improved. For example, equip workplaces with disinfectant dispensers. Install table partitions to separate individual workstations and use mobile partitions between individual groups of workstations. This helps to limit the spread of aerosols.
Creating a feel-good atmosphere in the workplace
The importance of a pleasantly designed workplace is often underestimated. Because those who feel comfortable at their workplace are usually more productive. So create a small oasis of well-being in the office as well.
For example, give your workplace an individual character with personal utensils, such as your own calendar, pictures or a self-designed pinboard. Plants on and around the workplace contribute significantly to a pleasant atmosphere. They enhance the appearance of the aircraft and at the same time help to improve air quality.
Keep the workplace tidy
It is true that there are always voices that think that an untidy workplace promotes creativity. As a rule, however, chaos on the desk has a negative effect on productivity. In addition, a tidy work area also ensures a positive and professional impression on the boss. At the latest, if an open desk policy is practiced in the company and the workspace is not used exclusively by an employee, the space should be left tidy after work.
With a few simple tips, you can quickly create order:
- Set priorities: Decide what is really important. You should remove all utensils that you do not use daily from your desk.
- Create a system: Arrange work equipment and / or devices according to tasks. Everything you need for a task is located in one area of the desk.
- Declutter: Throw away old notes and empty pens. Documents that are no longer needed or processed should be archived.
- Avoid cable clutter: The more technical devices are in use, the more cables run around the workplace. Use cable trays and cable ducts to eliminate cable clutter and ensure order.
Lendis supports companies in providing their employees with a productive working environment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Do you need more information about the rental model with Lendis? Then our staff will be happy to assist you at any time by phone, e-mail or live chat.
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