The Problem We Ignored Too Long
In March 2020, we sent everyone home assuming they'd be back in a few weeks. People worked from kitchen tables, sofas, beds. By September, we had engineers with chronic back pain, wrist issues, and eye strain.
We should have invested in home office equipment immediately. We didn't, and people paid with their health. This post is the equipment guide we wish we'd written in March.
The Non-Negotiables
A proper chair: This is the single most important investment. Not a dining chair, not a gaming chair — an ergonomic office chair with adjustable lumbar support, seat height, and armrests. Budget £300-600. It sounds expensive; it's cheaper than physiotherapy.
Recommendations: Herman Miller Aeron (expensive but excellent), Secretlab Titan (good value), IKEA Markus (budget option that's surprisingly good).
External monitor at eye height: Laptop screens are too low. Looking down for 8 hours causes neck strain. An external monitor at eye height, arm's length away, is essential.
Minimum 24", ideally 27". 4K resolution reduces eye strain. A monitor arm gives flexibility in positioning.
External keyboard and mouse: If you're using an external monitor, the laptop keyboard is now in the wrong position. A separate keyboard at elbow height, with the mouse alongside, is necessary.
Mechanical keyboards are a personal preference, not a requirement. What matters is that your wrists are straight, not bent upward.
The Strongly Recommended
Monitor light bar: A light bar mounted on top of your monitor illuminates your workspace without screen glare. Reduces eye strain significantly in darker rooms. BenQ ScreenBar is the standard choice.
Laptop stand: If you use the laptop as a second screen, it needs to be raised to monitor height. A simple stand (£20-50) solves this.
Desk at the right height: Standard desk height is 72-75cm. If your desk is too high or too low for your chair to position correctly, consider an adjustable desk or a keyboard tray.
Standing desk option: Not essential, but the ability to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day helps with energy and posture. Fully Jarvis and Uplift are solid choices.
The Commonly Overlooked
Webcam quality: Built-in laptop webcams are universally terrible. A £50-100 external webcam (Logitech C920/C922) dramatically improves how you appear on video calls. Looks shouldn't matter; they do.
Microphone quality: Similarly, a USB microphone (Blue Yeti Nano, Rode NT-USB Mini) makes you sound clearer and more professional. Good audio reduces fatigue for everyone on your calls.
Headphones with ANC: Active noise cancellation helps you focus, especially if you don't have a dedicated room. Over-ear headphones are more comfortable for long periods than in-ear.
Cable management: A tidy desk reduces cognitive load. Velcro cable ties, cable trays under the desk, and wireless peripherals where practical all help.
What the Company Should Pay For
After our ergonomic reckoning in late 2020, we implemented a home office budget: £500 per engineer for initial setup, plus £200/year for ongoing equipment. The investment paid for itself in reduced sick days and improved productivity.
If your company isn't providing this, advocate for it. If you're a CTO reading this: provide it. It's one of the highest-ROI investments you can make in a remote team.
The Checklist
- ·[ ] Ergonomic chair with lumbar support
- ·[ ] External monitor, 24"+ at eye height
- ·[ ] External keyboard at elbow height
- ·[ ] Mouse alongside keyboard
- ·[ ] Good lighting (monitor light bar recommended)
- ·[ ] Webcam (external, 1080p minimum)
- ·[ ] Microphone (USB, or quality headset)
- ·[ ] Noise-cancelling headphones
- ·[ ] Desk at correct height for your chair
Don't wait until you're in pain. Invest in your workspace now.