Reap the Benefits of Remote Work and Corporate Office Settings

Remote work can gradually impair your well-being, say proponents of working full-time in the office. Working from a home office or other remote location eliminates a work-life balance.  But there may be benefits of remote work.

Those who support working at home say it’s not much different from working in a corporate office setting. Both can have quality furnishings that create a supportive environment.

Plus, one of the advantages of working remotely is not having a tough commute. Look at how many freeways in greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire make commuting a nail-biting endeavor.

Let’s take a look and see how to make both remote settings and in-office staffing work in your company’s favor.

What is Work-Life Balance?

Companies and consultants have touted finding a balance between one’s professional life and personal life for decades. But is a 50-50 solution realistic? If quarterly goals are looming, then work becomes the priority. If children are sick or struggling in school, then home life takes precedence.

Then there are elderly parents needing help … or pets … or the district manager making demands of employees.

What about those workers who don’t have children or spouses? What are their work-life balance needs? The pendulum is constantly in motion, swinging one way and then the other.

Let’s get a grasp on understanding work-life balance.

A work-life balance is more about having flexibility than dividing hours equally, says Chris Chancey, career expert and CEO of Amplio Recruiting in an article for Business News Daily, “How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance Daily.”

So, the solution may be more on making flexible environments where employees feel like they have a choice or comfortable options than saying working in the office or working remotely is better.  Because in truth, there benefits of remote work as well as in the corporate office.

Similar Challenges Between Remote Work and Corporate Settings

Work-life balance is an ongoing cycle, and it’s something that “we must engage in continuously as our circumstances and priorities evolve” as described in the Harvard Business Review.

Isolation

Employees who are solo entrepreneurs and who only work remotely can feel isolated, and there’s plenty of evidence that loneliness becomes a strain, as described in a USA Today write-up titled “Work From Home Leaves Americans Feeling Lonely and Isolated.”

Zoom calls don’t provide needed socialization. People are social creatures and need community.

The USA Today article, though, was looking back on life after the Covid shutdowns and pointed out that 47 million people had resigned from their jobs. So, they became unattached and lonely.

Working remotely may not feel too lonely if you’re connected to a company and you know you’re contributing to their success.

Plus, is being social always a good thing?

Socialization

Camaraderie is a benefit of being in the corporate office and tackling challenges. Coming up with solutions in a team effort leads to a sense of taking part in a victory. But people also clash, don’t they? Certain personalities can turn a productive office setting into a place to be avoided.

Too much socialization can drive a wedge between colleagues. Instead of collaboration, people will seek more personal space and privacy. That’s why the open office floor plan has become sectioned off with stylish workstations and modular lounge furniture.

If employees are totally immersed in conversations and intense working relationships at the office, do they get downtime at home? They might not, depending on the ages and needs of children and spouses.

Let’s look at ways to offer the flexibility they need.

Equipping Both Remote and Corporate Settings


Photo: OFS Yelly Chairs

Design an office environment that’s pleasant and has a unifying theme. Get ideas from the 2010 Office Furniture Inspirations page. You can see how to equip your staff that’s either full-time in the office or working remotely the majority of the time.


Photo: 9 to 5 Seating Core Chair

Provide desirable basics like ergonomic chairs, comfortable workstations that are lit well and breakrooms with an array of beverages.


Photo: OFS Heya Desk 

Support benefits for remote work by providing workers home office equipment that infuses them with a professional attitude in a personal setting.


Photo: Snowbound Pli Divider Panels

A home office may need accessories like the PLI Snowsound Divider Panels or the Loftwell Split Space Divider.


Photo: Loftwall Split Space Divider

Encourage a Flexible Lifestyle that Benefits Remote Work and Corporate Offices

Both structure and flexibility are needed for our well-being, literally, and in a scheduling capacity.

Sitting in one position for long periods of time will ultimately stress the body and can hurt our lower back and joints. Stretching every hour or so and getting up to walk briefly is necessary. The movement also keeps the blood circulating.

You need to know the personalities of your employees.

Some people want to work in one place and not move unless they’re taking a brief break. That’s how they get into a productive flow.

You can encourage others to move from their desks to another setting if that helps them. Provide lounge areas or a breakroom where people can take their laptops.


Photo: ERG International Hetfield Table

At a remote office, like home, employees may find it easy to move around, or move from their home and drive to a coffee shop and then back again, depending on the type of work they’re engaged in.

Ultimately, remind your employees that it’s their responsibility to accomplish their tasks and that where they’re working is meant to support them. If personal needs arise, try to work with them as much as possible while maintaining the structure needed to keep corporate goals on track.

Turn to the Experts

Get input on planning your office space. Find the right furnishing to reap the benefits of remote work offices as well as corporate. The team at 2010 Office Furniture has more than 50 years of experience advising clients who are Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses.

Contact 2010 Office Furniture with your questions.

Read Also: Essentials for the Corporate and Home Office Spaces
Main Photo: SitOnIt Switchback Desk
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9 to 5 Seating, ERG International, Loftwall, OFS, SitOnIt, Snowsound 

Easy Guide to Calculating Space for Best Office Design Layout

Companies that operate smoothly do so not just because because goals are clearly aligned with the mission and a positive culture has been built.  They’ve been able to achieve and offer the best office design layout for their operations and employees,  Fortune magazine listed several companies in Southern California in their “Best Places to Work in 2022” roundup.

Tustin-based New American Funding was listed as the 18th best place to work in the United States. Other businesses included in the listing were the Cheesecake Factory in Calabasas, the Panda Restaurant Group out of Rosemead, and Scripps Health in San Diego.

Companies on the Fortune list are part of a certification program that includes looking at the employee experience.

How do you create a great employee experience?

You ensure that people know their purpose. They know why they’re part of a team. And they’re comfortable in their workspace which is planned effectively.

Let’s take a closer look at how planning an office design to create a great company culture can make a huge difference.

Define Spaces

Planning an office space isn’t just a matter of placing cubicles and workstations in the right places. Well-designed offices have a structure that allows for a smooth flow of information and employee collaboration.


Photo: AMQ Activ Height Adjustable Workstation

Most work gets completed at workstations, but employees who want to are encouraged to move around and work where they’re comfortable. Employees are valued for their talents and not just for following rigid protocols.

Inter-office communication is important, but spaces are also offered for privacy. Informal areas known as touchdown spaces allow for personal conversations and meetings outside of more formal or closed conference rooms.


Photo: OCI Seating Breeze Lounge Seating and Table

Touchdown spaces are created using the styles of modular lounge furniture that suit your surroundings. Add indoor plants for a green touch. This also welcomes remote workers who are coming in for meetings and gives them a place to operate from.

Let Light Flow for Best Design Office Layout

Natural light is a highly desired office perk. Sunshine flowing through the office lifts moods and helps employees maintain a healthy rhythm of waking and sleeping. Various lists show that the LA area, including Ontario in the Inland Empire, gets over 280 days of sunshine annually.


Photo: Loftwall Hitch Space Divider

To let as much light as possible spread through the office, use translucent floor-to-desk panels and dividers for desks and workstations like the Loftwell Hitch Space Divider. Ergonomic lighting solutions can pinpoint the amount of light needed and will reduce eye strain.

Apply Ergonomic Design

You want to fit your equipment to the work habits and physical needs of employees. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) defines ergonomics as “The science of adapting workstations, tools, equipment, and job techniques to be compatible with human anatomy and physiology.” The goal is to reduce the risk of stress on the body.


Photo: Global Princeton Design Workstation

Use furnishings that promote the well-being of your employees like ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks.

OSHA doesn’t have specific ergonomic standards, but this overview of ergonomics describes the risk factors:

  • Awkward postures, or unsupported positions that stretch physical limits, can compress nerves and irritate tendons
  • Static postures, or positions that a worker must hold for long periods of time, can restrict blood flow and damage muscles

(Source from the Timber Products Manufacturers Association)

Fitting your employees with desks and other furnishings that support them shows that you’re investing in their well-being and it will keep them engaged in their work.

Know Your Colors to Achieve Best Design Office Layout

Bring a cohesive color design to your office using color schemes and fabrics that reflect your brand and meet the overall personalities of your employees. Choose to go bold and inspire passion with shades of red and orange, or for quiet and relaxation use shades of blue.


Photo: Senator Group Haven Pods Meeting Lounge

A creative design can use a variety of shades and colors to vary the atmosphere. See the 2010 Office Inspiration page to see the possibilities.

Some offices design their spaces using a local look and feel when possible. The offices of Google in Pittsburgh make use of a red brick interior to pay homage to the region’s industrial heritage.

We know how much urban sprawl there is from Santa Monica to Redlands, but nature is still on display. The mountains, oceans, and late afternoon sunshine offer lots of colors to incorporate into our office environments.

The Santa Monica Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena have a purple hue; the hills around Malibu and in Orange County have green and golden tones. Redlands still has orange groves and the Chino and Chino Hills area still has farmland, so tap into this dimension.

Incorporating local elements into your colors and overall office design gives your employees a sense of continuity. They’re not shutting the door on one place to enter another world but are blending the environments in a pleasing way.

Stay Flexible

Flexibility remains key to retaining top talent and making the corporate office a desirable place to work. Be flexible in different ways. Allow your team to take their laptops and phones away from their workstations and go to lounges if they decide they can work better there.

And if they stay at their desks, then encourage your employees to stretch once an hour and get up for a brief walk every couple of hours. Movement helps the blood circulate throughout the body and to the brain. This reduces foggy thinking and aids in clarity throughout the day.

Flexibility also means accommodating remote employees who split time between their home office and the corporate office. Have dedicated space for teleconferencing by using architectural walls like the OFS Obeya Architectural Structure.

Involve them on the inside, too. Ask members of your remote team to come into the office and lead meetings when appropriate. This way, they’re involved internally and feel as engaged as someone coming in full-time.

Plan for a Great Office Environment

Looking for help and guidance to create the beast office design layout? Contact the team at 2010 Office Furniture on planning your floor space and choosing the furnishings that are right for your employees.

Tap into more than a half-century of combined professional experience that 2010 Office Furniture has earned in assisting clients who are recognized as Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.

Read Also: Easy Guide to Calculating Space for Best Office Layout
Main Photo: Senator Group Mote Workstation
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: AMQ, Global, Loftwall, OCI Seating, Senator

Choosing the Best Office Chairs to Support Well-Being, Comfort, and Productivity

How do you choose the best office chairs? Office chairs are an expected part of any corporate or home office setting. They’re everywhere and they’re important.

Why?

Sitting on an office chair isn’t a passive activity. WebMD notes that extended times of sitting will “wreck your back” and urges readers to use ergonomic chairs.

Yet, most of our workdays are spent sitting.

Think of people driving on any of the freeways in Los Angeles, Orange County, or the Inland Empire. We’re sitting in the driver’s seat, but we’re often tense navigating traffic, especially if we think we’re going to be late for a meeting.

How many times have you or someone you’ve seen been hunched over the steering wheel? Moving from a car seat to an office chair isn’t always a pleasant experience.

Our bodies are whole units and the wrong posture in a wobbly chair will stress the lower back muscles, knees, and elbows. If a laptop isn’t at the right height, then gravity pushes on our necks causing additional strain.

The chair is the foundation for an employee’s well-being and provides needed support for them to comfortably complete their tasks.

Principles for Choosing the Right Office Chair

A chair should comfortably support a person’s body weight and movements. You should be able to recline easily and maintain back support.


Photo: AMQ Tizu Chair

Ergonomic chairs let a user relax in a neutral body position which is the position the spine is in when standing. A neutral position means there’s no neck tilt. A quality ergonomic chair achieves this with three components:

  • Adjustable lumbar support
  • Adjustable arms
  • Reclining backrest

Now, a word about lumbar support.

There are five vertebrae in your lower back, also called the small of your back, that make up the lumbar spine which supports your body’s weight, surrounds and protects your spinal cord, and allows for a wide range of body motions.

Lumbar support reduces stress on your spine and can correct issues like slouching.


Photo: Friant Vektor Chair

Not all office chairs have proper lumbar support so know what you need.

Choosing Office Chairs for Functionality

All chairs should be comfortable, offer support, and be matched with the person’s job function. Let’s look at key positions in an office and understand what they do.

  • Executives spend time planning, meeting, and making decisions.
  • Receptionists facilitate communication, primarily from the outside to employees inside the company.
  • Managers who oversee people and project managers who oversee processes might alternate sitting for a few hours and meeting at their desks with others or moving to a separate location.
  • Creatives like graphic designers or programmers may want long hours to create and finish tasks with limited interaction either with clients or internal staff.
  • Vendors and clients coming to the office need comfortable seating in the lobby area before sitting either at someone’s workstation or in a designated meeting area.


Photo: ERG International Aristo Crossfire Lotus Cube Plus Series

Other needs for chairs are in breakrooms, and for training sessions or gatherings in specific spaces like conference rooms.


Photo: 9 to 5 Hag Capisco Chair

Now let’s look at the best seating solutions from 9 to 5, a leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs and more—they’re local to the Southern California market.

9 to 5 Seating

Many chairs are cross-functional. 9 to 5 Seating is a leading manufacturer of office chairs and was a 2022 Good Design Award winner. Granted by The Chicago Athenaeum, an international Museum of Architecture and Design, the prize recognizes innovative industrial, product, and graphic designs worldwide.

9 to 5 Seating is committed to excellence in ergonomic design and quality while keeping chairs budget-friendly. Look more closely at some select models.


Photo: 9 to 5 Seating Cortina Chair

The Cortina is an executive chair that can also work well in a traditional conference room setting.

It has subtle curves along the back and the seat provides continuous support and comfort that eliminates pressure points.


Photo: 9 to 5 Agent Chair


Photo: 9 to 5 Aria Chair

For receptionists and side chairs, consider the Aria and Agent, which has six control options.

Need a welcoming chair for guests? Look at the Indy Chair, with 15 degrees of flexible back recline and lets the user stretch when seated for long periods.

A statement for lounge, reception, or meeting areas is the Jax Chair. It comes with low or high backs to create more privacy in seating areas.

Sometimes, you just need a stool. The Remy Stool is fun and is curved like a rocking chair to give the user a wide range of motion.

If there are specific models from 9 to 5 or other manufacturers you want to know about, but you don’t see them on the 2010 Office Furniture website, contact the team and let them know.

Trust the Track Record

Need input on planning your office space or furnishing any part of it? Get maximum productivity from your office design and furniture.

2010 Office Furniture’s staff has more than 50 years of combined expertise advising and outfitting clients who are recognized throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Contact them with your questions and possible project needs.

Read Also: Liven Up Your Virtual Meeting Rooms and Physical Meeting Spaces
Main Photo: 9 to 5 Capisco Puls Chair
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9 to 5, AMQ, ERG International, Friant

7 Ergonomic Seating Solutions to Elevate Your Office Seating

Ergonomic Seating SitOnIt Wit Side Chair

Your team spends precious time sitting in cars or ride-share vans while commuting on Southern California’s crowded freeways, then up to several hours sitting in the office each day.  How do you reduce the stress of sitting? Read on and discover ergonomic seating furniture solutions that promote overall well-being and productivity.

Sitting stresses people physically when they’re not properly supported. A quality ergonomic office chair supports the lower back and reduces chronic back and leg pain when it’s adjusted to the right height. Ergonomic seating solutions fit a variety of needs from workstations to guest chairs and conference rooms for training sessions.


Photo: 9to5 Seating @nce Chairs

It’s an important lesson in office ergonomics—planning and equipping the office environment to meet the needs of your employees.

Here are seven types of ergonomic seating that are worth referring to time and again.

Workstation Ergonomic Seating

When people are comfortable in their seats then they’re productive at work. And they’re healthier with fewer absentees due to strained backs and joints. Think about how much movement occurs when you’re sitting. Shifting from one side to another. Leaning back to stretch and leaning forward to type on a keyboard or read reports.

Sitting is not a passive activity so chairs need to support a person’s weight and how they move.

Seating possibilities for workstations range from shared bench seating solutions to individual chairs in a cubicle or desk.

The Via Seating Genie Chair is height-adjustable, supports posture, allows for a comfortable range of motion, and it’s built to last for several years.


Photo: Via Seating Genie Chairs

For versatility, the Wit Side Chair from SitonIt Seating features a lightweight frame, built-in pull handle, and is an option as primary seating at desks or shared workstations. It’s also useful as accessory seating in cubicles.

For shared surface areas in an office with a minimalist style, the Encore Nexxt Chair and Stool is an impressive furniture solution to use.


Photo: Encore Nexxt Seating

Executive Desk Ergonomic Seating

Seating should be comfortable enough to support the thinking process and many decisions that go into running a company.

Can sitting straight with good posture actually promote clear thinking?

Slouching reduces lung capacity by up to 30 percent, as described in an article in Inc. Magazine so sitting in a quality ergonomic chair can maximize the supply of oxygen to the brain.

Support the head and neck movement with the dynamic Humanscale Freedom Headrest Chair. Designed with foundational physics, the chair easily reclines for maximum comfort.

Executive desk seating options come in traditional styles like the 9 to 5 Seating Mila Chair that supports the user’s weight and natural body motions.

Capture a more exclusive look and feel with Via Seating’s Vero Chair. Angling cushions give a pleasant appearance and have luxe ergonomic seating support.


Photo: Via Seating Vero Chairs

The OFS Madrid Executive Chair fits well in executive suites and conference rooms. The chair can be customized with a wood finish or aluminum for the arms and control functions.

Receptionist Ergonomic Seating

A receptionist who’s answering phones, greeting visitors, and completing a variety of tasks throughout the day is often in constant motion. Sitting really means swiveling in the chair and constantly shifting weight. Keep your receptionist comfortable and healthy with quality furniture solutions that are ergonomically designed and manufactured.

The Focus Chair by SitonIt Seating and the Friant Amenity Chair are styles of ergonomic chairs that are supportive and durable.


Photo: SitOnIt Seating Focus Chairs

Guest Seating Lobby

The reception area is the first impression that visitors have of your office—and so do employees when they arrive for work. Whether it’s an office for a professional firm or a creative company specializing in some type of marketing or entertainment, create a comfortable space for those who may have to wait.

Choose guest chairs that complement the look and feel of your office design and theme.

A comfortable option for health professionals and waiting rooms is the SitOnIt Seating Anytime Chair that can be customized for use in training rooms and break rooms.

Go a bit retro with the iDesk Crazy Horse Chair that showcases both style and fashion.


Photo: SitOnIt Seating Anytime Chairs

Lounge Seating for Individuals

Offices need touchdown spaces, places where employees can catch a breather and take a personal phone call or step away from their workstation and work in a living room style setting. It’s the type of furniture that’s becoming a fixture in current office design trends.

Lounge seating is also important for employees on a hybrid work arrangement. If they come into the office, then offer comfortable ergonomic seating where they can also be productive before or after the meeting session.

The Friant Anza Chair offers a timeless look of quality and is cushioned for the best in relaxing comfort. Or go with a calming feeling with the Krug Avatar Lounge Chair.

Lounge Seating for Groups

Lounges can also be rooms where small groups can meet comfortably in a setting that has a casual feel. Modular lounge furniture can serve individuals or groups. The Krug Zola Modular Lounge Seating allows for numerous configurations.

Step away from routines and the traditional conference room space to more home-like settings. Use accessories like moveable white boards and sleek tables to create the right environment.

Conference Room / Training Room

Conference room and training room ergonomic seating is a popular furniture need. If you’re bringing associates in to a central training facility or your working with local staff then use the chairs that help people remain attentive.

The Allermuir Axyl Chair, Stool and Bench is available as a stacking chair, a stool for use in breakrooms or in shared workspaces, and as a bench that fits in a variety of office settings.

The ERG International Carlton Chair and Stool fits many office environments, including lobbies and break rooms.

Finding the Right Ergonomic Seating

Turn to 2010 Office Furniture as your trusted solution in office space planning and sourcing the right ergonomic seating and furniture you need in your office environment. Rely on the 2010 Office team’s 50 years of working with clients who are among the leading corporations, universities, and small businesses in Southern California.

Contact them with your project needs.

Read Also: Make Office Ergonomics Your Next Smart Move
Main Photo: SitOnIt Seating Wit Side Chairs
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9to5 Seating, Encore & SitOnIt Seating & Via Seating