Hybrid Return – Hoteling Station

If the primary workstation is going to continue to be the home office, but the employee may work at the corporate office periodically using a communal, hoteling, or hot-desking style of workstation, it is important to ensure this workstation is highly adjustable to accommodate a wide range of individuals. Some features/items we recommend these workstations include are:

• Height Adjustable Tables: The ideal hoteling workstation would have a height adjustable table with a range between approximately 25” – 48” to allow each worker to adjust the desk height to suit them. If this is not feasible and the desk will be a fixed height, it will be important to provide the additional equipment necessary for each individual to tailor the fit. This would include having footrests and removable keyboard trays easily available.
• Adjustable Office Chairs: Every individual has a different set of needs and the more adjustable features a chair has the more people it can accommodate. Look for features such as adjustable height, seat pan depth, backrest, lumbar support and armrest position. Further to this it is important that each employee knows how to use these features and set-up the chair to best suit them. If you know the make and model of the chair you can often find a Youtube video explaining what the different knobs and levers do.
  • Office Chair Size: Standard office chairs do not fit everybody. Choosing a chair that has an adjustable seat pan will allow the chair to fit a wider variety of users. Individuals who are petite may need to shorten the seat pan of the chair. If it is not feasible to have an adjustable seat pan then petite users can add a supplemental backrest.
  • Armests: Select a chair with armrests that are highly adjustable, both height, width and depth. It is not uncommon to see armrests that interfere with an individual’s ability to create an optimal workstation if they lack the desired features. If this is the case, then some individuals are better off without armrests and they should have the ability to remove them from the chair if needed or they should be able to be lowered so they can be positioned out of the way.
• Adjustable Monitors: Each individual will need to adjust the monitor[s] to suit their seated height. The simplest solution for this would be to have the monitor[s] on an adjustable monitor arm. If that is not feasible then ensure monitors are mounted on   height adjustable bases and have monitor risers available.
• Various Input Devices: Most individuals work well with standard sized keyboards and mice, but occasionally individuals will need specialized ergonomic equipment. This includes short/compact keyboards, split keyboards or vertical mice. Having a selection of these various input devices available for workers to swap out the standard equipment at a communal workstation can help ensure a workstation is ergonomically sound.

Having all the right equipment in place is a great place to start, but employees also need to know how to use the equipment to ensure they get an optimal fit. MoveSafe can provide resources such as:

• A virtual or in-person Lunch & Learn where a MoveSafe Ergonomics Consultant provides training and education around the specific equipment that will be provided at each workstation and how staff should set-up their workstation.
• Our Seated Workstation Set-up Guide or even our Return to the Office Ergonomics Checklist can be posted at each workstation to help remind workers to set-up their workstation at the beginning of each workday.