About this resource
Small changes to a desk setup and work habits can reduce discomfort. This self-check covers chair and posture, screen position, keyboard and mouse, laptop use, lighting and glare, and breaks and movement, with space to plan changes.
Purpose
To help people adjust their setup and habits to work more comfortably.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Occupational therapists. Also relevant for allied health and multidisciplinary teams.
Client or participant group: Adults and students who work or study at a desk.
Practice setting: Workplaces, home offices and study spaces, often alongside occupational therapy or return to work support.
Suggested uses
- Setting up a new home office
- Return to work planning
- Students setting up study spaces
- Discussing discomfort with an OT
Instructions for practitioners
- Ask the person to complete the check at their actual workstation.
- Prioritise easy, low-cost changes.
- Encourage regular movement breaks.
- Refer for individual assessment if pain or symptoms persist.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Check each item at your desk.
- Choose changes to make.
- Notice how you feel after a week.
Accessibility considerations
Can be completed with a photo of the workstation and discussed.
Scope and limitations
A self-check. It is not an ergonomic assessment. Persistent pain or symptoms should be assessed by a health professional.
Research basis
Occupational therapy models describe how the person, their environment and their activities interact, and how a balance of meaningful activity supports health and participation.
- Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A Transactive Approach to Occupational Performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300103
- Wagman, P., Håkansson, C., & Björklund, A. (2012). Occupational balance as used in occupational therapy: A concept analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 19(4), 322–327. https://doi.org/10.3109/11038128.2011.596219
- World Health Organization. (2001). International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). WHO. https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/international-classification-of-functioning-disability-and-health
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
