Since the onset of COVID-19, an emphasis has been made on working from home when possible, to try and maintain consistent productivity. This brings into question the quality of working conditions in your home, and what you can do to improve things such as ergonomics and cyber safety.

“Many workplaces — including ours at the Canada Safety Council — are leaning heavily on a remote workforce,” said Gareth Jones, President and CEO of the Canada Safety Council. “But moving from an office work environment to a home environment can present a new set of challenges that can easily be overlooked”.

Many people may already have their own home office set-up, but home work-spaces are not always set up with the most ergonomically-friendly settings. With the new normal becoming working from home, many people will come up with a makeshift office that could help kick-start pain, posture, and long term health concerns. It should be a part of your routine to check your posture, as it is important to keep comfortable and well positioned.

This includes ensuring that the small of your back is supported, your head is upright and forward, that your shoulders are relaxed, your arms are parallel to the work surface, your feet are flat on the floor and that you are not putting undue pressure on your thighs by leaning too far forward. If you find yourself uncomfortable more often than not, consider investing in an ergonomic chair.

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, prolonged sitting can cause long-term health problems including back pain, muscle tenderness and aches. It is also associated with diabetes and heart disease. Frequent mini-breaks can be helpful in getting blood flowing and keeping your body in motion.

Another security issue is the topic of cyber-safety, as it is important that your identity and personal information stay safe online. Some things that you can do are:

• Use security software that protects from internet threats including malware and virus. Maintain the most current updates to the operating system and applications. Often the most current versions of software include security updates.
• Limit what you share online. If you’re filling out a form that requires sensitive information, ensure that there is a padlock next to the website’s address, indicating it is a secure connection. Double-check the website’s address, too, to make sure you know and are comfortable with the source.
• Be wary of any unsolicited calls or emails requiring information from you. If you have to share information with an organization or individual, make sure you’re the one who initiated the contact using listed contact information.
• Set strong and unique passwords for your accounts to make it difficult for would-be hackers to access your information. Two-factor authentication is also an effective deterrent against would-be malicious actors. This involves confirming your identity with a code sent to your device or email in addition to your username and password.