Being stuck at home has made both employers and employees realize that it is possible to have a work-from-home arrangement that would benefit both sides. Business owners that allow their employees to work at home can save on rental costs since they will no longer rent space for workstations. On the other hand, employees that work at home will also save on commuting, clothing expenses, and eating out. However, if you are planning to have a work-from-home arrangement with your employer, it is crucial to carefully consider the type and number of office supplies you will need.
Setting Up Your Home Office
When you plan to set up your home office, you may end up misjudging the office supplies you will need, ending up in too little or too many supplies. Not having enough office supplies on hand may become a problem for you, especially if you need them immediately. On the other hand, having too many supplies may not be a wise investment since you will spend money on something that sits in your office longer. This list of things will help you have an effective and efficient home office.
Computer
A computer is an essential device for your home office. Although smartphones can allow you to effectively communicate with your employer, the convenience of having a computer will trump any smartphone. Your choice of what type of computer to invest in will depend on the nature of your work. If your work from home requires you to visit clients or different locations, then a laptop is the right computer for you. On the other hand, a desktop computer is a powerful tool for employees working most of the time in front of the computer.
Monitor/s
If you invest in a laptop, consider the size of the screen that you will be working with. Monitor screens with high resolution will cause lesser strain for the eyes. Contrarily, if you have a desktop computer, you can use more than one monitor to keep track of all your tasks.
High-Speed Internet Access
In today’s business world, almost everything is connected via the internet. It is, therefore, important to invest in strong internet access. The average internet speed in Australia is 25.88 Mbps. If your speed is around that number, you are good to go.
Wi-Fi Router/Mesh
A good Wi-Fi Router or Wi-Fi Mesh will allow you to move from one area to another without compromising your internet speeds. You can strategically place your Wi-Fi mesh to enable you to work in your backyard on pleasant sunny days.
Licensed Software
You should also invest in licensed software for your computer. Although some manufacturers allow you to use their software for free, you may not get full access to its features. It is always best to purchase full licences for software, especially for operating systems or word processing applications.
Cloud Storage
Most employers have already switched to cloud-based computing. If your employer has not, you can take the initiative by getting your cloud storage to increase the number of files you can store and access them across your gadgets.
Office Desk
Although you have all your home furniture at your disposal, it is still important to invest in an office desk. Having a desk that you designate as your official work area can prevent other household members from interfering with your work stuff. Also, having an official-looking desk will make your transition from home-mode to work-mode easier.
Office Chair
Like your office desk, you may choose any existing chair in your home to serve as your office chair. However, when you are required to work several hours per day, an ordinary house chair will not cut it. When you need to work long hours, you need to invest in an ergonomically-designed chair that won’t stress your back. It would always be best to consider ergonomics and comfort when choosing your office desk and office chair.
Multi-purpose Printers
Although most companies are striving to do paperless business, the need for printing is still very much alive. Your home office must also have a multi-purpose printer that can print, scan, and produce copies of documents.
File Storage
Aside from having adequate storage for your digital files, you should also provide storage for all your hard copy documents. Invest in a file cabinet that you can secure with a lock to prevent your kids from tampering your important work documents.
There may be other office supplies that you may need to add to your home office, depending on the type of work you do. In the meantime, the above items will already be enough to get you started.
