NEWS & ANALYSIS FMJ.CO.UK
LEGAL VIEW - DSE
6 OCTOBER 2020
LEESMAN RESEARCH FINDS THE HOME
IS OUTPERFORMING THE OFFICE IN
SOME FUNDAMENTAL AREAS
In March 2020, the independent assessor of
employee experience, Leesman, launched
the largest exploration into employees’
home working experience. Now, based
on a sample size of more than 125,000
workers, its data has revealed that the
home is outperforming the o ice in some
fundamental areas. Business leaders
must now determine what their physical
workplace needs to meet the experience
many are having whilst working at home.
Overall, 82 per cent of employees feel their home environment enables
them to work productively. In contrast, just 63 per cent of employees in
Leesman’s o ice-based index of more than 750,000 global employees report
that the workplace enables them to do the same.
The data has found that the majority of home workers have access to all
the so ware and applications (90 per cent), information (84 per cent), and IT
devices (80 per cent) they need to do their jobs from home.
The research also revealed the home working experience is outscoring the
best workplaces in the world, known as the Leesman+ collective. Seventyeight
per cent of those working within a Leesman+ building have reported
that their workplace enables them to work productively, three per cent less
than those working from home.
Comparatively, almost half (44 per cent) of workers with a non-specific
work location at home feel that the physical settings they use when working
from home are unsuitable for the work they do. They are also less likely to
work productively (68 per cent) and less likely to feel connected to their
employees (54 per cent). More than a third of that group (38 per cent) also
report they are unable to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
RICS ANNOUNCES WAVE OF REDUNDANCIES
IN RESPONSE TO THE IMPACT OF COVID
Around 150 -170 RICS employees are at risk of redundancy Sean Tompkins,
RICS Chief Executive O icer has announced. He said the decision
followed: “An extensive review of the way RICS operates in order to chart a
new way forward that builds
on our response to clear
external trends that were
already underway and which
the onset of the pandemic
accelerated.”
He added: “With a heavy heart, I have briefed our people on the proposals and
we have now begun a formal consultation process with employees and employee
representatives, placing 150 – 170 roles within the organisation globally at risk of
redundancy. Following the outcome of the consultation, we will also undertake a
review of our global o ice footprint to make sure we have the most appropriate
strategy to support our new needs and new ways of working.”
He said that despite immediate steps following lockdown “We expect our
overall revenues (of which about a third are from commercial activity) to continue
to be much lower than in previous years.”
“This has been the toughest call of all since the pandemic began. As we
work through these proposed changes with our people, we will continue to
advance our key activities. The ongoing growth and positive social impact of the
profession is as critical today as it has been for centuries and we will support our
professionals to continue delivering confidence for those that rely on their unique
expertise. RICS has a strong heritage alongside a great foundation on which we
will build a new and sustainable future.”
WORKING FROM HOME WITH
DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT
BY DAVID SHARP, FOUNDER AND CEO OF
INTERNATIONAL WORKPLACE
The Government has reversed its policy of encouraging
people back into the offi ce by now advising that they work
from home where possible. Most people working from home
will be using some form of display screen equipment (DSE),
which can carry its own risk. The HSE advises that, for those
people who are working at home on a long-term basis,
the risks associated with using display screen equipment
must be controlled. This includes carrying out workstation
assessments at home.
THE RIGHT POSITION
Employees’ home assessment should include the positioning
of their DSE, as well as how they position themselves. The
Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF)
off ers the following pointers:
Look straight ahead, monitor at eye level or just below
and an arm’s length away. If using multiple monitors,
angle them inwards to reduce neck rotation.
Give your eyes a break. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet
away for 20 seconds. 20-20-20.
Elbows and forearms should be level with the desk
surface, shoulders down and relaxed. Adjust chair height
or prop yourself up with additional cushions.
Feet should be planted on the fl oor. A footrest is ideal;
alternatively, use a box.
Keyboard and mouse should be positioned close to the
edge of the desk to avoid unnecessary stretching. Don’t
shrug shoulders when typing and using the mouse; lower
the work surface or adjust your chair height to avoid this.
Sit back taking full backrest support. Adjustable chairs
are ideal. For more lumbar support, place a cushion or
rolled up towel behind you.
Keep thighs parallel to the fl oor, knees slightly lower
than the hips.
Regular movement is key. Get up from your chair two
to three times an hour for 30-60 seconds or fi ve to ten
minutes every hour. Add dynamic stretches to daily
routines as well as walking.
KEEP DSE ARRANGEMENTS UNDER REVIEW
As any period of temporary home working extends, the HSE
says employers should have regular discussions with workers
to assess whether additional steps are needed, for example
where they report:
Aches, pains or discomfort related to their temporary DSE
arrangements;
Adverse eff ects of working in isolation, on remote IT
systems; and/or
Working longer hours without adequate rest and recovery
breaks.
Where employers decide to make working from home
arrangements permanent, they should explain how to carry
out full workstation assessments and provide workers with
appropriate equipment and advice on control measures.