Office and Hybrid Working Ergonomics, Northern Ireland

I am Julie Rainey MSc C.ErgHF MCIEHF MIHFES, Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors Specialist. I provide Ergonomics assessments for staff in offices and schools, and for home and hybrid workers, across Northern Ireland, covering both home and office workstations. Assessments include Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments, workstation analysis and adaptations for individual needs.

Office and School Workstations

Office and school environments need a systematic approach to workstation design, environmental controls and equipment selection. My assessments look at workspace layout, seating, monitor positioning and environmental factors, whether staff work at a fixed desk or hot-desk.

Why Home and Hybrid Workers Need Assessing Too

HSE guidance is clear: if you employ home or hybrid workers, DSE assessments should cover both the home and the office. Even so, home and hybrid working assessments are often forgotten or treated as less relevant than office assessments.

Many organisations now work three days in the office and two at home. That means 40% of work is being carried out at home.

What I See in Home Set-Ups

From experience, home set-ups tend to have more shortcomings than office ones. The most common are an inadequate chair and working from a laptop with no separate monitor, keyboard or mouse. Over long periods, this can lead to musculoskeletal problems that affect both health and productivity.

There are positives too. People working at home are often better at taking short breaks away from their workstation, which encourages changes in posture and gives the eyes a rest. From an Ergonomics point of view, that is a real plus for reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Home working also gives people more control over lighting, noise and temperature, all of which affect concentration and performance.

How Assessments Are Carried Out

  • On-site assessments at the employee's home workspace across Northern Ireland

  • Virtual assessments across the rest of the UK, Ireland and worldwide

What the Assessment Covers

  • Desk set-up and layout in the home

  • Choosing suitable furniture for a domestic setting

  • Laptop use, including separate keyboards, laptop stands and webcams

  • Positioning equipment where space is limited

  • Healthy working practices, including regular breaks and movement

  • Adaptations for employees with disabilities or specific needs

What You Receive

A report for each person with specific recommendations. Where equipment is needed, the report sets out the features it should have, so it can be sourced with confidence. I also advise on return to work plans for employees returning after injury or illness.

Related Services

Useful Resources

For practical guidance on setting up at home, see the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors' Working From Home Infographic.

For guidance on sit-stand workstations, the CIEHF Sit-Stand Desk Guidance covers correct use, recommended sitting and standing ratios (40 minutes sitting to 20 minutes standing) and equipment options for both office and home.

Contact Julie about office and hybrid working assessments