Civil Service work from home assessment

ladybird4519

Have all departments required their staff to do a work from assessment of their home office set ups?

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315493/civil-service-work-from-home-assessment

Yes, plus ergonomics training.

ladybird4519

Thank you @Ezeoul Yes we’ve had ergonomics training, they are no requiring a video call with an outside body to check your home office set up and just wanted to see if it was civil service wide and not just our department

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158053#Comment_121158053

Yes, we had to do the video call as well. Its not as intrusive as it sounds, just make sure you have the correct chair, your workspace has plenty of light, desk, screen is at the right height, etc. It took about 20 minutes.

ladybird4519

Brilliant thanks for this confirmation.

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158070#Comment_121158070

Does the Civil Service provide an office desk and chair or contribute to their cost if you are working from home?

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121168449#Comment_121168449

Yes. My department provides them directly.

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121168586#Comment_121168586

Thanks @Ezeoul . I'm starting a job soon with blended working and am wondering whether to buy a decent desk and chair now or to wait in the hope they will be provided. The department I am joining are a bit vague on the blended working policy. I applied for the job as I was told the policy was WFH 3 days per week and in the office for 2 days per week. Now they say I have to apply for it and do an ergonomics assessment before I can WFH. Anybody have the same experience as a new starter?

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121169222#Comment_121169222

Hi gougeaway,

Some departments require new recruits to do a fixed training period in the office before WFH, but other than that, what you describe sounds standard and in line with current CS policy.

Officially, everyone has to apply for WFH and go through the process. The ergonomics assessment is also okay, and done by zoom or teams.

If I were you I'd hold off on buying anything for the moment. I had my own desk, so didn't take up the offer of a desk, but I was provided with a much better chair than the one I had. They should also provide you with a Departmental laptop.

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121169281#Comment_121169281

Hi @Ezeoul thanks for the info. I have a very basic desk and chair but they wouldn't be good enough if I was using them all day. I'll take your advice and hold off on buying new ones. I have to be in the office for the first two weeks but can apply for blended working then. From what you say it sounds like it is standard across the CS. Thanks again.