Small Business Work Environment - advice please!

[IntheFryingPan32]

I just wanted to check where I legally stand from a Health and Safety point of view please. I've been offered a job involving using a computer for most of the hours that I work.

However, they expect me to work in the kitchen of the small business as there is no office space at all. This means that there won't be a proper desk or an adjustable chair.

The kitchen will also be used for staff to have their breaks and so I'll have to do work where I need to concentrate on the computer with other people having the tea and lunch breaks.

The floor space in this kitchen is approximately 5 metres by 3 metres at most.

Can they legally make me work in the kitchen in this scenario?

Can they also legally make me work at the computer for most of the day without an adjustable chair and using a table that wobbles when you type (as it's not a work desk, it's a cheap table).

I assume they'll expect me to share this table with people sitting around it eating their lunch. The table is about 1m x 1.5m.

I worked for a while in a small (micro) business with this sort of thing going on. For me this would be a red flag. Getting a suitable chair may be the least of your problems there.

Just turn the job down?

But if there’s no office space, where else would you be able to work?

That's what I'm concerned about.

I'm gutted. I was really looking forward to starting this job and I REALLY need the money. I spent all last night looking for another job but can't find anything suitable.

I can only spare a few hours a week around my caring responsibilities so jobs are hard to come by that meet the needs. I need a job earning about £300/month to keep afloat!

The previous person worked remotely. They now want someone on person.

In person. But are not going to be able to provide a suitable working environment or equipment.

OP, if it's only a few hours a week, can't you hot desk with any other employee who is on holiday or off sick? One person in 10 should be on holiday at any time (5 weeks in 50 per year)

There are no other office staff.

The only 'desk' is the one in the kitchen! 😮

If it’s the only job available for now then it sounds like you’ll have to take it. At least you’re going in with your eyes open and wont’t lose the momentum in looking for something better. The job market is always slow coming up to Christmas, keep your eyes peeled for things coming up from mid Jan onwards.

I think you should ask for a proper office chair and desk, even if it has to be small. Even if you're still based in the kitchen. They can't say they need someone on site without supplying the correct office equipment. I don't think that's reasonable.

You could take the job, but keep looking for a different role at the same time.