WFH Essentials? Help!

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I’d be very grateful for some advice. I’ve taken a new role which is quite flexible so it’ll be around 3 days at home, 2 days in office (and some weeks 0 days even depending on business needs).

I have never had a role where I’ve had to WFH so much and I wondered if anyone had any tips on what to buy? Previously when I’ve logged in to work I’ve just done it on my laptop on the kitchen table but I want to get proper equipment/an office set up so grateful for any tips on what you found useful!

My work provide screen, keyboard, ergonomic chair, and a monthly allowance for additional heating, WiFi and stationery etc. they also provided camera, mic and desk lamp.

Well lucky you! Not the case for all of us.

If your wi-fi isn't great, get a wired connection.
I paid about £80 to have a proper cable go from a socket near the router, out the external wall, up the side of the house, back into the room upstairs, and a proper wall socket upstairs in the 'office' space. Then a cable from this socket into the laptop. So wired all the way from router to laptop.
Makes all the difference to Teams calls.

I have an office so everything relating to work is kept away from my home life. I like being able to close the door and shut work away.

From a practical perspective, I have a standing desk, oodie, a foot warmer and heated mat for my feet to go on, wireless headphones so I can walk around the house and listen to meetings, multiple monitors, a cupboard to securely lock everything away and a heating massaging chair!

Lovely ideas! Thank you.

A furry heated throw from Lakeland and a standing desk riser from amazon (sits on top of my normal desk) are my two must haves. Also a decent bluetooth speaker for my music in between meetings and a walking pad to stretch my legs when I'm in a meeting I don't have to speak in.

That’s fab. Who is your employer?

Ah what a fab idea about getting something that can go on top of a normal desk.

I can thoroughly recommend this laptop riser...
https://amzn.eu/d/4tbB0Xa
and I also have this wireless keyboard and mouse...
https://amzn.eu/d/0PcI6QN

I improvosed and use yoga blocks for my feet.

You need a large monitor too.

I need a ring light or similar for inline meetings...can anyone recommend one?

I love that! And only £9.99. I’ve ordered!

How’s the sound when you type on the keys on the keyboard? I am very fussy about keyboard sounds 😂

Sit to stand desk, great to keep mobile. I’ve even cycled with mine.

Extra monitors to view laptop and laptop stand.

Wireless mouse and keyboard.

Desk organiser.

Speaker/Radio, can’t stand silence.

Cleaner, otherwise you’ll want to clean all the time when home! Haha

Definitely double check your employer doesn't provide anything other than a laptop - i work hybrid in civil service (on an office based contract) and they provide everything you "need" to undertake your role.

Electric throw has been a game changer for me this year. Can wear less layers so look more presentable on any camera calls.

Your workplace should provide the same set up as the office (or as close as possible). This is a DSE requirement as they are responsible for your h&s when working from home.

This.

Thank you everyone. I reached out to a friend of mine who works at the same place I’m moving to and she said when my contract comes through (it will early next eeek) it’ll state that they do provide stuff for WFH and details of an external supplier I can order from. If it wasn’t for this thread I wouldn’t have reached out to check!!! But also that I may want to buy a few extra bits and bobs for comfort!

Originally in 2020 we got a monitor and headset provided plus £200 to buy anything we may need. When we refurbished the office they offered us to take older mouse/keyboards for free.

Now it's just £200, the rest has to be bought privately.

We have to provide a picture of our set-up and answer a questionaire once a year, mainly if we are working in a set up where privacy is guaranteed. So no kitchen/dining room table and no shared workspace with husband/child.

I have.a proper keyboard as I have a damaged left hand/tumb and can't use a laptop keyboard for hours or the old injury flares up again.

This year I upgraded my monitor to a large curved one, similar to the ones we have in the office, I normally have at least 3 programs visible at the same time and it's a huge game changer.

Camera in on my laptop.

Ensure you have enough space for notepad/pen if you use it. What's the company policy on creating paper notes? We aren't allowed to print at home or take documents with us, all notes created which may contain confidential information need to be shut away in the evening and destroyed in the office. The majority of us uses a variety of word/notes/email drafts etc for this therefore.

A large extension cord with enough sockets for all plugs and don't forget a charger for your mobile.

I do heat the room, no way I can work dressed in an Oodie or covered in blankets and hot water bottles.

I work from bed if I'm just doing emails as I can keep warm. Obviously don't do camera calls like that!

Desk, chair 2 monitors, keyboard, mouse, extra charger, dock or usb hub, extension cable and good headphones or speakers mic and camera.

In the UK, I believe it depends if you are fully remote or hybrid. If fully remote and an employee, yes, they seemt to provide the kit and pay the bills. If they provide you with an office and allow you to work from home from time to time then I don’t believe they have to. However, we have to do ‘is your home office set up ergonomic’ type training every year!

What will your employer provide? I have dual monitors and two docking stations so I literally just connect my laptop. I have a wireless mouse I cart around. Luckily for me, we have a small spare room with a desk in it (left by previous owner) and I bought a secondhand operator chair from Facebook for £10 in 2019... A proper chair and desk will be much more comfortable than the dining room table.

i got a usb water dispenser for my desk