Working from home permanently

[Aloe Vera]

I knew this was in the works but I was just told today that our office will work from home permanently. 
My manager asked me to think about things I'll need for this transition.
I'll need a new desk and chair. What I currently have is old and the chair is wood. We didn't really need an office at home. I won't need a printer or scanner (though I'll miss the copier as when I had printing needs, it was there). We of course have internet. I've worked from home before when needed and the speed we have is more than enough.
Anything else I should ask for?

[gardengal]

Bigger monitor if you have one at work but not at home?

[ECB]

Jan 23, 2023 12:52:17 GMT -5 Aloe Vera said:

I knew this was in the works but I was just told today that our office will work from home permanently. 
My manager asked me to think about things I'll need for this transition.
I'll need a new desk and chair. What I currently have is old and the chair is wood. We didn't really need an office at home. I won't need a printer or scanner (though I'll miss the copier as when I had printing needs, it was there). We of course have internet. I've worked from home before when needed and the speed we have is more than enough.
Anything else I should ask for?

what’s your computer set up? Do you multiple monitors or would you want them?

[krystee]

I’m jealous that you get furniture! I work from home permanently and we just got laptop/docking station/monitor/keyboard/headset.

I would like a high quality printer, but haven’t found myself needing anything else.

[gretchenindisguise]

I really like having a laptop docking station and a 2nd monitor.

I also like my actual webcam and not just the one that's on the computer.

A good set of headphones/headset thing.

[arielroux]

I have two widescreen monitors, monitor stands with some storage compartments, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, various charging stations and adapters, lumbar support cushion, ring light, whiteboard/cork board combo, and a printer/copier/scanner (which I know you said you didn’t need, but I’m just listing out what I use each day).

What I really could still use is a filing cabinet and a better webcam.

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2023 12:59:59 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I really like having a laptop docking station and a 2nd monitor.

I also like my actual webcam and not just the one that's on the computer.

A good set of headphones/headset thing.

Yes to all of these. 

And a ring light. 

[mrsslocombe]

A laptop stand or if you have a second monitor, risers to make sure it's at eye level. I've been having neck issues from constantly look down at my lap top at home.

Depending on how big your house is, a mesh network in case you need to work from the basement/second floor and your wifi isn't strong enough in those spots.

[DefenseAgainstTheDarkArts22]

Good keyboard, mouse and monitor mount if you could

[mae0111]

Jan 23, 2023 12:54:07 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Bigger monitor if you have one at work but not at home?

This and I would say 2 monitors if possible. I have 2 at home and in the office and it’s so hard to work on one now.

[liverandonions]

My set up is a docking station, power strip with surge protection, two monitors, wireless keyboard, mouse, and a have a wired headset because my wireless one had too many issues. I also got a mesh router for my internet which has helped immensely, and is only for my work use.

[Aloe Vera]

I forgot to add that I will take all my current IT equipment with me that is laptop, docking station and 2 monitors + keyboard.

[wanderingback]

Definitely a 2nd monitor!

[womet]

My work at home set up includes docking station, 2 monitors, external camera and ring light, mouse and keyboard, desk (I got a standing desk at Costco), ergonomic chair. I bought the desk and chair myself.

[mrsd2006]

Why won't you need a printer or scanner? There are scanning apps for your phone, but I consider a printer / scanner a must have.

[gretchenindisguise]

Oh and if possible, a standing desk - or a standing desk thing you can add to your regular desk. I like the option of standing or sitting.

[ssmjlm]

I have a standing desktop from costco and I make sure to stand at least 1x a day.

If I was home more, I would really want a walking pad too.

[ggirl]

I’ve WFH since 2016. My needs are pretty minimal. I have two monitors. Docking station. My phone is soft phone on computer.do you need a headset? I also don’t need a printer or scanner or anything like that all. I would prefer a standing desk but I just get up and walk around the house almost every hour if a standing desk or option of standing desk is not available. If you have to be on camera- I would consider needs for that.

[ggirl]

Also re: internet speed. Will anyone else be home when you are? We upped ours during Covid when my husband was also home (and kid for a period of time). We didn’t NEED to but it made things better for us lol.

[meanie]

Not just any chair - an amazing chair! And maybe a standing desk if you think you would use it. Second monitor?

A lot of the "extras" are dependent on what you do. Will you ever need to do client visits? If so, are there branded materials you would usually grab from the office?

My company no longer allows us to print remotely. We have ways around it like digital signatures, so make sure that is in place if needed.

[ECB]

Jan 23, 2023 14:16:45 GMT -5 mrsd2006 said:

Why won't you need a printer or scanner? There are scanning apps for your phone, but I consider a printer / scanner a must have.

this may be very job specific, but i haven’t printed anything for work in 3 years.

[sadlebred]

I got to take my laptop when I started to WFH....and a power brick. Whomp Whomp. They have let us order a monitor, wireless keyboard & mouse, and headset. Thankfully I already had a full home office set up.

[midwestmama]

What is the amount you can spend? If it's a higher amount, if it were me, I would definitely get a nice, ergonomic chair and an adjustable desk.

I have a tack board for hanging a calendar and other docs that I want to have quick access to.

ETA:  sadlebred, same.  They gave us a whopping $50 to spend on desk supplies from a select list.  I got a wireless keyboard and mouse combo for $65, so what the company provided didn't even cover those items.  I had to buy my own desk, chair, and monitor.

[RoxMonster]

I agree with the other responses. Extra monitor(s), very comfortable desk chair, standing desk or standing desk attachment, nice headset. I don't have any need to print or scan for my job, but that varies by job.

When I started WFH alongside H, we upped our Internet speed.

I also had to buy some good lighting for my office, which used to be a guest room. I got a nice floor lamp and a desk top lamp that also charges my phone.

Non-essential but I enjoy: having some plants in my office. Also a wireless speaker that I can use to listen to music or podcasts from my phone (I don't want to use my work computer for that)

[ZitchDog]

If you can swing a large purchase for a great chair, I have never regretted buying a chair from Secret Lab: secretlab.co/collections/gaming-chairs?collection=classics. It's like sitting in a very comfy seat of a car. Solid, but not hard.

I bought the one that had the...quietest (?) design and I love it. I've had it over a year now.

[Whitecaps]

If they require you to work from home, and you’re required to access the internet to do your job, they should subsidize some of that service cost or at the very least pay for whatever you need, device-wise, to get the best signal where your desk will be.

[sadie]

Really good lighting was a critical need for my setup.

[k3am]

Jan 23, 2023 20:23:53 GMT -5 ZitchDog said:

If you can swing a large purchase for a great chair, I have never regretted buying a chair from Secret Lab: secretlab.co/collections/gaming-chairs?collection=classics. It's like sitting in a very comfy seat of a car. Solid, but not hard.

I bought the one that had the...quietest (?) design and I love it. I've had it over a year now.

We have one. My only complaint is that they’re sized based on height, so unless it’s dedicated just for the user, it will be uncomfortable for others. DH is 6’2” and bought it for gaming, then covid rolled around and the office became my work space, and at 5’4”, it doesn’t adjust nearly as well to me.

[sent]

Lots of desk space. In our setups, we each have L-shaped desks. I have two more desks and a bunch of filing solutions. My work is sometimes paper heavy so I have a solid scanner and a printer but my husband has neither and has never needed to print anything. He said he would prefer 2 screens and has that setup at his actual office. I haven’t felt a need for that but I have occasionally had my laptop open alongside my desktop if I needed the extra screen. I also often curl up on my recliner and work on my laptop and he never leaves his desk. I do sometimes wish I had another phone line so I don’t always have to tie up my cell phone. He was given a work phone recently.

[mpm]

Jan 23, 2023 21:57:59 GMT -5 Whitecaps said:

If they require you to work from home, and you’re required to access the internet to do your job, they should subsidize some of that service cost or at the very least pay for whatever you need, device-wise, to get the best signal where your desk will be.

My employer would very much disagree with you on this.