If you might be doing hybrid working going forward...

[lljkk]

What equipment will you have issued to you by work?

Thinking of laptop &/or desktop,
screen(s)
cables
chair
docking station
webcam
headphones
printer (& cartridges etc)
laptop bag or sleeve
mouse, keyboard
ethernet cables
?

any of above?

Will you be issued just ONE of any of above... or will you have multiples, one for home & same again 'in the office' -- might well be hotdesked in some way? How will your space in office be allocated?

Will you have a locker or another space to keep any personal things in the office full time?

Will the equipment all be good enough quality?

I have the same laptop I’ve always had, which has a camera built in, a mouse, external keyboard if I want one and additional screen if I want one.

I’ve got my own headphones, but I could probably order some through work if I wanted to.

I’ve got a chair from the office, I could get a desk and claim on expenses if I wanted one but I already had one.

Don’t want or need a printer, I’ve got a locker in the office I’ve always had but I always had to carry my laptop around if I was working in different places so that’s no different for me.

I’ve applied for the tax adjustment, I don’t feel like I need anything else to be able to WFH now, we’re moving to ‘hybrid’ working, maybe two days in the office moving forwards.

@lljkk

I like my work. I don't want to start disliking it because they give us unsuitable equipment.

I sometimes get files that can only be viewed on very first computer I initially view them on, and can be printed once only (only way to share with colleagues, and yet work plan requires shared viewing by other colleagues).

Lugging: we had only huge padded laptop bags in last job I had where a laptop was our primary equipment and only issued-for-home equipment. Commuting that required Walking a mile (nearest free parking) or cycling 17 miles to work was challenging with that huge bag.

Laptop-only jobs we had docking stations & 2 screens at workplace, but a lot of the dock stations were on wifi & V e r y S l o w. At least we had lockers & space for home stuff; if I have to lug that back and forth then that is a challenge -- trainers worn at work daily, maybe is solution.

I can't decide whether you are moaning or have a genuine concern - the carrying of a laptop is not something I've heard many people moan about - it's normal, shove the laptop into a backpack - are you sure you like your job? You can get specific software to help with document sharing. Have you spoken to your tech dept?

Isn't the point of a laptop that e.g. documents you can only view on the first computer you opened them on are then visible both at home and at work because you're using the same computer?

I'm interested in what the liability is, I've asked my employer who were unsure. For example, the specific equipment I use isn't covered by my home insurance (I can't just buy one off the shelf like for like, and if I was robbed I wouldn't want to be shelling out £££s to my employer), but if it is damaged within my home and out of the office, will my employer just take it off the chin and say its fine? Also wondering if there's a vulnerability in my WiFi, will I be held responsible for anything that happens?

@Peppapeg

I'm interested in what the liability is, I've asked my employer who were unsure. For example, the specific equipment I use isn't covered by my home insurance (I can't just buy one off the shelf like for like, and if I was robbed I wouldn't want to be shelling out £££s to my employer), but if it is damaged within my home and out of the office, will my employer just take it off the chin and say its fine? Also wondering if there's a vulnerability in my WiFi, will I be held responsible for anything that happens?

And yet these are questions that only your employer can answer. I think the tricky thing for us is when we have a repeat offender - what do we do with someone who repeatedly damages or loses company equipment - it hasn't happened - one member of staff stood on a brand new laptop and broke the screen - the repair was covered by our credit card company as it was a new purchase and he's been more careful since. You should have antivirus software and cyber security rules to follow.

@NameChangeforMoneyThings

Isn't the point of a laptop that e.g. documents you can only view on the first computer you opened them on are then visible both at home and at work because you're using the same computer?

We work using cloud solutions - documents are visible from any computer by anyone given access.

We work using cloud solutions - documents are visible from any computer by anyone given access.

Clearly you can, I'm fairly sure I could too for a chunk of my stuff, but the OP was saying she had this issue - it is a security feature on some documents and if they use it as a security feature I doubt a cloud based solution where things can be viewed on any device will be a solution the company is looking at.

I work at a university and we’ve only ever had desktop PCs. I’ve been using my own laptop throughout lockdown, but we were allowed to borrow a monitor and chair. I assume that all has to go back at some point.

Interesting thread, it is interesting to see the different way different companies do things.

In my work place when we were all sent home last March we had a laptop and phone and could take a monitor and keyboard and chair if we needed them as well as the option to order foot rests, wrist rests and that kind of stuff.

We also had to do e-learning about health and safety when working from home including sitting position screen glare etc as well as safe use of extension leads and fire safety/evacuation as if our home is our work place then the company have responsibilities to ensure safety there.

We are just working out the logistics of getting monitors and power supplies back in for the now over-due PAT testing.

I've got my work laptop, and a screen and desk chair from work. I already had a keyboard and wireless mouse.

We made a lot of people redundant last year and as a company we never throw anything away so there's plenty of spare equipment - my desk at work is still set up with my docking station. And a chair, no idea whose it was originally! I am doing 3 days in the office and 1 at home at the moment, only need to carry the laptop around with me. Power cable stays at home, so the laptop on its own really isn't a big inconvenience.

All the items I have at home will be kept at home apart from my laptop. Laptop, mouse, keyboard, monitor, docking station etc. I'll take the laptop only into the office and they have docking stations for the laptop and mouse, keyboard and monitors.

Think it will be hot desks maybe areas set out for areas of the business. Say finance have 30 desks in an area, HR have 15 etc.

I already have a locker to put personal items in and any work related items, note pads etc.

We've had next to nothing.

We've just been issued with work laptops (was using own equipment via citrix for the previous 15 months) I've bought my own laptop stand, keyboard and mouse. We're expected to have the work laptop with us all the time, shuttling it between work and home so I've bought myself a backpack for carrying it.

We have no provision for extra screens, proper desks or chairs at home. In the office we do have a docking station at least. DSE assessments were suspended at the start of covid and we've had no information about setting up correctly at home.

I've done my best but still have arm/neck/shoulder pain as a result of work.

Work sent me a laptop. I have supplied a desk, keyboard, additional screen, laptop stand, desk chair, printer. They want me to divert my office phone to my personal one but I just use Teams as I don’t want all and sundry having my personal number. They could supply phones, just won’t because they’re tight!!! Oh yeah, and I also have to give up half my living room for this stuff. It’s not ideal and there’s been no hint of an allowance for WiFi/heating/real estate space. I think it takes the piss to be honest.

We're moving to hybrid so equipment purchasing is happening just now. Some of us will keep our desktop iMacs and have a laptop issued to us which will be compatible - I think the idea is that they will live at the office, though not sure. And some will move fully to laptops which will be carried back and forth from home to office. I think they may also be issued with screens or we might have screens at the office? Not quite sure about that as I am in the first group, with the iMac. I imagine it will be quite bumpy for a bit so I am very interested to see how others are managing it.

Are all those moaning about the hybrid model able to continue to work from the office or is hybrid being forced on you?

specific software to help with document sharing.

I have impression it's illegal to digitally share these documents -- to help enforce that they tie viewing to a single specific device. tbf, I don't have many such documents, but are something else to juggle.

I'm, not moaning, I never moan. I am not English #light-hearted

Something like hybrid is being forced on our staff, one dept. at a time. Probably I could 98% WFH but only if I have suitable technical equipment. Employer added about £20million debt in last 16 months. I doubt they will buy most of us a good home set up. Am trying to puzzle out what I want to say when the formal consultation process reaches me

Lockers .... or having nothing at work except what I bring daily. Below is my first try to list possible items to bring daily. Seems so long! This is short version, assumes I'll never leave the building until clocking off, so no plan for outdoor wear, sunglasses or walking shoes, etc. We are strongly discouraged from driving to work, the most recommended carpark (we pay for) is a very muddy place 10 minutes walk from office. Even if I always drive, muddy & wet shoes are completely plausible.

spare pair reading spectacles in protective box
headphones with microphone for telecons, webcam(?)
pen & paper to take notes
decaf tea bags
spare hoody: I'm usually cold in the mornings
drying rack (small) for drying out wet items from commute
spare sox & leggings (see wet commute comment)
Office shoes
rain-proof wear
tea towel for tea spills
Any & all things I might want to eat all day, including milk
pain killers, plasters, chargers (phone, bike lights)
If printing then staplers, plastic sleeves & scissors are useful

My experience of workplace lockers & all hot-desking was that the locker would be just big enough to fit all the non-food items but not drying rack that could fit.

@lljkk I was thinking of these guys or something like them.

www.docsend.com/

@lljkk

specific software to help with document sharing.

I have impression it's illegal to digitally share these documents -- to help enforce that they tie viewing to a single specific device. tbf, I don't have many such documents, but are something else to juggle.

I'm, not moaning, I never moan. I am not English #light-hearted

Something like hybrid is being forced on our staff, one dept. at a time. Probably I could 98% WFH but only if I have suitable technical equipment. Employer added about £20million debt in last 16 months. I doubt they will buy most of us a good home set up. Am trying to puzzle out what I want to say when the formal consultation process reaches me

Lockers .... or having nothing at work except what I bring daily. Below is my first try to list possible items to bring daily. Seems so long! This is short version, assumes I'll never leave the building until clocking off, so no plan for outdoor wear, sunglasses or walking shoes, etc. We are strongly discouraged from driving to work, the most recommended carpark (we pay for) is a very muddy place 10 minutes walk from office. Even if I always drive, muddy & wet shoes are completely plausible.

spare pair reading spectacles in protective box
headphones with microphone for telecons, webcam(?)
pen & paper to take notes
decaf tea bags
spare hoody: I'm usually cold in the mornings
drying rack (small) for drying out wet items from commute
spare sox & leggings (see wet commute comment)
Office shoes
rain-proof wear
tea towel for tea spills
Any & all things I might want to eat all day, including milk
pain killers, plasters, chargers (phone, bike lights)
If printing then staplers, plastic sleeves & scissors are useful

My experience of workplace lockers & all hot-desking was that the locker would be just big enough to fit all the non-food items but not drying rack that could fit.

Now I thought dh was a heavy packer - but you have just put his bag into perspective. You sound like you are packing for a camping trip!😂

You’re definitely over packing for work, wtaf

Do you need spare glasses? Aren’t the first pair enough?

Pen & paper, you could just digitally make notes instead? Likewise with staplers, plastic sleeves & scissors. Can’t your work supply that? You’re working digitally using a laptop, so why the need to print so often to the extent that you need to carry these items around daily? It’s inefficient

The extra clothing and food is your own personal problem. None of that is mandatory. I will never understand the obsession with tea.

I have no words for the drying rack.

I have a lap Top keyboard and monitor and mouse. My lap Top goes back and forth between home and the office. I'm going to need headphones when I'm in the office to take teams calls. In the office the desks are set up with no it or keyboards and docking stations. I guess I will have to bring a mouse because I don't like my lap Top one.

In the office the desks are set up with monitor keyboards and docking stations.That should say!

Dh will be a day a week and they've set up hot desks that they can plug their own laptops and peripherals into. They also have their own lockers for things they won't want or need to cart backwards and forwards.

They also have the same docking stations at work and at home. Their laptops are high end and dh uses his own keyboard and mouse for comfort. They're a software company so very little is on paper.

Funny this thread is talking about office when I'm genuinely most worried about having good equipment at home.

Historically my employer wanted everyone to try to use bus or active travel to commute. Our parking is expensive. Maybe hybrid will change all that & everyone will be expected to try to drive. They can't put more parking spaces closer to actual buildings, though. Buildings may be even colder in mornings if fewer staff in buildings.

@callmemaybee, no spare reading specs at work means risk of no specs if forgot to bring them or broke the ones I brought. I forget & break things.

I need stuff at work that other people don't need, I can live with that... as long as I have decent equipment at home which is the true huge great uncertainty.