Lots of people recommend a headset... I'd like to counter with a speakerphone puck. I don't like wearing a headset. The puck takes up very little room on my desk, fully integrates with Zoom and Teams, and has great audio quality.
Not equipment related but something to keep this in mind when you file taxes - of course individual dependent but when I worked from home fully during covid I was able to get refunded on the city tax taken out because I do not live in the city where work is. I just had to have a letter stating the facts to submit.
Post by DefenseAgainstTheDarkArts22 on Jan 24, 2023 9:04:22 GMT -5
For those looking for a standing desk. I did a ton of research on them a few years ago and am still super happy with the base for the price for the one I use. Grabbed a top from ikea and have a great standing desk for $400
It can raise up to 220# and is only $300. This other one looks better but I haven't use this one.
Lots of people recommend a headset... I'd like to counter with a speakerphone puck. I don't like wearing a headset. The puck takes up very little room on my desk, fully integrates with Zoom and Teams, and has great audio quality.
while I’m “over” using a headset, i like having one just in case. Mainly if either DH or Ds are also home, or if we’re having work done on our house (when we had the siding replaced - it was LOUD in my office). I like to be able to be sure that what other people hear from my house is minimal, and a headset helps minimize extraneous noise.
Second monitor Laptop stand ergonomic keyboard and mouse (wireless) separate microphone separate camera (the angle on the laptop camera is weird) ring light docking station separate travel mouse desk lamp
I totally agree about a big desk - you can never have enough space, between my monitor, laptop, keyboard, coffee cup, water bottle, day planner, cat... Depending on your computer you might also want separate speakers or headphones.
My dad has worked from home for 20+ years and they also pay for his cell phone (if you're required to use it - my company routes our calls through zoom), internet, furniture like bookcases, all his electronics of course (he used to use a slide projector, now I think he just screen shares or something), a company car... basically more than any other company does these days!
Lots of people recommend a headset... I'd like to counter with a speakerphone puck. I don't like wearing a headset. The puck takes up very little room on my desk, fully integrates with Zoom and Teams, and has great audio quality.
I second this. I have a Jabra and it does a really good job of filtering out background noise.
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.
So does mine, which is why it's top of mind for me.
Post by gretchenindisguise on Jan 24, 2023 13:11:10 GMT -5
Non-working related - also make sure you have a plan to move and to separate work/home time. I haven't yet found the balance, but I move/walk a lot less than I did when I worked in the office. I'm working on getting better at it. One idea is to essentially have a walking commute - where you go for a walk before you start your day and when you end your day to demarcate work and home and mimic the time you would have had to be alone and think while commuting. This isn't my reality right now but hope it will be at some point this year.
Do you have a work-paid phone or will you be required to use your personal phone for any work related purposes while working at home? I'm lucky that my employer gives us a monthly remote work stipend that is supposed to cover some of our internet, phone service, etc. Could be something work asking for!
Post by Wallflower on Jan 24, 2023 13:27:05 GMT -5
Echoing the suggestion for a laptop stand, and this is something you may want to wait until you start setting up to determine. There are various designs and what works for one person might not work for you. Or at different times - when I changed glasses, I had to change my whole desk arrangement! (Damned progressives.)
Also echoing the suggestion for a good headset, even if you don't use it all the time. No one needs to hear my cats complaining in the background!
Post by schrodinger on Jan 25, 2023 0:20:24 GMT -5
A good coffee maker within range of your headset. Nothing worse than an empty cup of coffee and a very talkative coworker.
Will your work space share space with a home computer? We had to spend some money to get a shared set up. Mesh router if you think your WiFi signal might be iffy.
If your room has a window, make sure to set your desk up to take advantage of it. My mood improved so much when wasn’t staring at a wall all day. Have a plan to step away from your desk periodically. Block it out in your calendar if you need to.
A good coffee maker within range of your headset. Nothing worse than an empty cup of coffee and a very talkative coworker.
Will your work space share space with a home computer? We had to spend some money to get a shared set up. Mesh router if you think your WiFi signal might be iffy.
If your room has a window, make sure to set your desk up to take advantage of it. My mood improved so much when wasn’t staring at a wall all day. Have a plan to step away from your desk periodically. Block it out in your calendar if you need to.
Oh yes to this one! Who knew I'd get addicted to my bird feeders?! But I'm staring at three right now and they have gotten me through many meetings. And I find I don't need extra lighting when I'm on camera, the window is enough.
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.