Recent years have seen an explosion in mobile working - and no surprise, given that 83% of us think flexible working brings competitive advantages in business, and 54% of managers believe flexible workers have a better quality of life.
Businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure their workers are using mobile working tools such as laptops, mobiles and smartphones with care and attention. But less than half of mobile workers are receiving guidance about staying safe while working on the move.
BT Business has produced a practical guide - Get fit for mobile working - in partnership with Margaret Hanson, one of the UK’s leading ergonomists, to help businesses help mobile workers avoid the back, neck and arm problems that can result from working in unfamiliar environments with a poor posture.
Download our ‘at a glance’ graphic guide (556 kb) on the dos and don’ts of mobile working.
Download the full report (455 kb) prepared by BT Business in conjunction with leading ergonomist Margaret Hanson.
Here are ten top tips from Get fit for mobile working:
1. Use the backrest of your chair. Don’t slouch forwards. Keep shoulders in line with your hips.
2. Hold your head so ears are above shoulders. Don’t stick your chin forward or bend or twist your neck.
3. Alternate between thumbs and fingers when typing on smartphones.
4. Don’t rest wrists or forearms on the edge of desks.
5. Position items so you don’t twist your back; screens should be at a comfortable viewing height in front of you. Ensure your back is supported.
6. Exercise your hands, wrists and neck regularly.
7. Make sure there is nothing underneath your workstation that restricts your posture.
8. Take regular breaks away from the keyboard and screen.
9. Don’t hold the phone between ear and shoulder – you’re likely to get a sore neck.
10. Adjust settings on your software so that the image and text are large enough for you to see comfortably.
Download our Get fit for mobile working wallpaper for your laptop, perfect for providing hints and tips on mobile working while you are on the move.
To download, click on the appropriate screen resolution below, then right-click and select "set as background". What is my screen resolution?
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The next steps
Take the flexible working quiz
Remote working toolkit
Actions
Download our report on IT skills for flexible working
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Figures are from the Economist Intelligence Unit and BT's 21st Century Life Index Report, 2008
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