Virtual/Remote Ergonomic Evaluation Steps
Get personalized ergonomic advice for your home office, all without an in-person visit! Our virtual evaluations are convenient and tailored to your needs.
Why Choose a Virtual Evaluation?
- Expert guidance from CSU Ergonomics Specialists.
- No in-home visits – completely remote and confidential.
- Convenient scheduling to fit your busy life.
- Personalized recommendations for your unique home setup.
The Virtual Evaluation Process
- First, we highly recommend completing our Working From Home Ergonomics Training and reviewing our home office resources for initial self-guidance.
- Once you’re ready, simply Submit Your Virtual Evaluation Request Form and schedule your evaluation (via MS Bookings).
- To ensure the most effective remote assessment, we’ll need a clear view of your workstation and your working posture. You have two options:
- Option A: Submit Photos/Video (Recommended for best assessment)
- We’ll provide instructions for submitting specific photos or a short video of you at your workstation from various angles (e.g., front, side profile) while working. This allows our specialist to review your setup in detail before your live meeting.
- Alternatively, you may also email these visuals to [email protected].
- Option B: Live Virtual Meeting
- We will schedule a live meeting via MS Teams or Zoom. Please be prepared to adjust your camera view to show different angles of your workstation and your posture. Please be prepared to move your camera beyond just ‘selfie mode’ to provide clear views, such as stepping back to show your full workstation or turning for a side profile.
- Option A: Submit Photos/Video (Recommended for best assessment)
- Providing visuals ahead of time, or having a flexible camera during a live meeting, helps us give you the most accurate recommendations.
- See below for “Tips For Setting Up Your Camera” and “Example Profile Shots.”
- During your evaluation meeting, your specialist may guide you through taking a few simple measurements (e.g., desk height, monitor distance) to ensure optimal fit.
- See below for “Required Measurements and Pictures.”
After the evaluation, you’ll receive a detailed report with specific recommendations to improve your workstation’s ergonomics and your comfort.
What is Required of Employees?
- Participation: Actively engage in the virtual evaluation process.
- Provide Visuals: Submit photos/video or be prepared to show your workstation/posture during a live meeting.
- Take Measurements: Assist with measurements as guided by the specialist.
- Implement Recommendations: Follow the ergonomic recommendations provided in your report.
The remote evaluation process tries to replicate an in-person evaluation as much as possible. See the following website for additional details on the ergonomic evaluation process Office Ergonomic Evaluation Details.
NOTE: Employees must also be present at the office that they intend to have evaluated, not at another workstation, in a conference room, etc.
Tips For Setting Up Your Camera (Pictures and/or MS Teams Meeting)
- Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting so your workstation and posture are clearly visible. Avoid strong backlighting from windows.
- Angles: Be prepared to provide views from different angles:
- Full Workstation: A wide shot showing your entire desk, chair, and surrounding area.
- Front View (You at Work): A shot of you sitting/standing at your computer as you normally would.
- Side Profile View: A shot showing your side profile while working, focusing on your posture (head, shoulders, back, elbows, wrists).
- Close-ups: Be ready to show close-ups of specific equipment (e.g., keyboard, mouse, chair controls).
- Stability: If taking photos, use a stable surface or have someone help. If using a phone during a live meeting, ensure it can be positioned securely.
- Beyond “Selfie Mode”: During live meetings, please be prepared to move your device to show the workstation and your full body posture, not just your face.
Example "Profile Shot" or "Side-View Shot"
View from right side
View from right side
Measurements & Pictures
During your evaluation, your specialist may ask for the following:
- Desk Height: From the floor to the top of your work surface.
- Monitor Distance: From your eyes to the screen.
- Chair Dimensions: (e.g., seat height, armrest height if adjustable).
- Specific equipment photos: Close-ups of chair controls, keyboard tray, etc.
- Instructions on how to take these measurements will be provided by your specialist.
- Pictures/videos can be uploaded to your evaluation profile or emailed to [email protected]
If there are questions on the process not answered here, please contact us.