Guidelines Help Telecommuters Design Safe, Effective Home Office

Merrill Lynch requires telecommuters to adhere to an extensive set of requirements in setting up their home offices. This is a simplified list of the requirements:

• Office location.

located in a distinctly separate part of the home, not just on the kitchen table;

generally provides adequate room, lighting, and other necessary requirements.

• Desk.

adequate knee and leg clearance;

well-rounded edges;

non-reflective finish to minimize glare;

Adequate surface area with materials in easy reach.

• Chair.

adjustable seat height, with range of at least 16 in. and 20.5 in. off the floor;

adequate seat depth;

adequate padding;

well-rounded edges;

good lumbar support;

tilting seat pan;

easily adjustable backrest;

armrests that are padded, well-rounded, and at proper distance;

no interference from armrests when pulling chair up to desk;

five legs with casters appropriate to the flooring surface.

• Computer screen.

can tilt forward and away;

positioned at proper angle for user;

proper distance between employee’s eyes and screen;

perpendicular to windows to minimize glare;

no reflections on screen.

• Keyboard.

detachable;

at appropriate angle;

ample surface to allow resting of hands;

palm rests supplied by employer on request.

• Mouse.

in accessible position to avoid reaching;

at same height as keyboard;

entire arm can move to operate mouse;

mouse pad.

• Lighting.

adequate overhead lighting;

task lighting on the work surface.