Sit up Straight! Ergonomics Gets to Work

February 19th, 2010

When it comes to office furniture it’s all about ergonomics. But who knew that ergonomics wasn’t just about knowing how to sit up straight? According to the Guardian newspaper a career in ergonomics can pay up to £60,000. Clearly there must be more to it than putting your elbows at the right angle to your computer desk and not crossing your legs! An ergonomist is also known as a ‘human factors professional’ and a mid-range salary of just three or four years’ experience could get you a salary of £40,000, with £20,000 being the starting salary of a graduate. But it isn’t just about knowing how to buy ergonomic office furniture it seems – you need to do a BSc or MSc in ergonomics to become a professional ‘human factors professional.’

Although some may feel they don’t need a degree to know how to sit properly at their office desk, it’s estimated that over two-thirds of workers suffer some kind of repetitive strain injury costing an estimated £300 million in lost working hours!

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Office Relationships, Your Pod or Mine?

February 19th, 2010

Office Relationships – Your Pod or Mine? 

It’s a bit of a cliché but offices are something of a hotbed for romance, so much so that the Sunday Times has published a feature advising on office etiquette when it comes to affairs of the heart (conducted over the photocopier). 

Perching in a provocative way on the office furniture may not be etiquette in many offices but it seems the office has always been a place of sexual tension. The idea that people sleep their way to the top is an old fashioned one. And yet there can be few offices where eyebrows aren’t raised at certain promotions. It’s true that sexual politics is still a huge subject in many modern day offices. 

The fact that statistically, we are more likely to meet our other halves at the office is proof that office relationships can go further than the stationary cupboard. In fact, it’s been guessed that 70% of relationships are formed in the office (including affairs with clients!) with one in six meeting their life partner at work (according to research by the Work Foundation). Of course, working in close proximity is bound to throw up a few liaisons. But the Times concludes that being attractive or using your sexuality disturbingly could be just as crucial in today’s job market as your degree. Because degrees are two a penny, being attractive will give you the edge you may need from the competition. As the Times states: “This isn’t just vanity. Britain in 2010 is a lookist society; image matters.” 

High profile business women – or any high profile women – seem to have a personal trainer as the norm. Likewise, successful men enjoy beautiful suits and are increasingly just as obsessed with their body image as women are, hitting the gym several times a week. In America, mixing sexual politics or attractiveness with work can be more problematic. Some companies have introduced ‘love contracts’ to forbid relationships between employers for fear of sexual harassment claims and legal costs or disharmony in the office if the relationships fail.   

But of course when it comes to matters of the heart, it isn’t always possible to solve problems in the same way you would solve a health and safety regulation. However the case of a more junior office worker being made redundant by her boss after their affair had ended is an important lesson for HR departments; she won £11,000 for unfair dismissal after a court ruled her boss was holding a grudge against her after their relationship ended. 

About Hunts Office Furniture:

Hunts Office Furniture is the most comprehensive online directory of stylish and practical office chairs, desks, workstations, conference tables and reception furniture ranges, available in the UK. Whether you are embarking on an office refurbishment, relocation or revamp we have office furniture solutions for all.

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Office Furniture, No Place Like Home

February 19th, 2010

Most of us keep our home a world apart from ergonomic, functional office furniture, but could this all change as more people take up home in office space?

According to a report in The Independent newspaper, the home-work divide could be getting a little bit blurry. Fancy a filing cabinet for a chest of drawers? Or how about an executive office chair to watch the box from? Renters may not literally be living with office furniture but a trend has emerged in London whereby renters turn to empty office buildings to set up home rather than traditional residential flats. 

Are Offices the New Lofts?

It’s been dubbed the ‘new work-life balance’. But no matter how much you love your job, the idea of waking up in an office block complete with garish office lighting, harsh grey carpet and off-white walls, isn’t something many of us would cherish. In fact, it sounds like a living hell. But London has always been an expensive place to rent, and when times are tough, needs must. Demand for rental properties also outstrips supply in the capital, so it’s not surprising more people are willing to brave office furniture in the comfort of their own home. Cost-conscious tenants are snapping up the empty office blocks – many victims of the recent recession – and embracing office-loft-style living.

Room with a View

It may be hard to think of the benefits of home life in the office. Office furniture is geared after all to getting the most out of workers, whereas home furniture should be geared to relaxation. But many high rise offices in the city offer incredible views – views that would cost a fortune if they belonged to a residential block. Moving into offices is now considered a ‘creative solution’ for tenants. Landlords and squatters have already begun the trend of grabbing big empty office buildings and putting them to financial use – just as they did with the lofts and mill buildings that fell into disrepair. Before you know it, old office blocks could become the Next Big Thing, or even – like lofts – become the lifestyle choice of the well off city dweller. After all, space is one of the most valuable commodities in the London property market.

However if you do opt for office living, you may need to consider a change in taxes, fire regulations and legalities – as well as re-wire, install showers and kitchens and invest in the basic facilities found in the home but not in the office – such as dishwashers and washing machines. Tenants who have embrace office living have said it can take plenty of ‘energy and creativity’ making an office into a home to get rid of the institutional feel many office blocks have. 

Hunts Office Furniture –For all Your Workspace Requirements

Established in 1990, Hunts Office Furniture has expanded over the last 20 years to become the leading supplier of office furniture. Have a question or need advice? Call us on: 0845 4000 333 or email:sales@huntsoffice.co.uk

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Home Comforts in the Office

February 19th, 2010

According to the Society of British Interior Design, offices have increased their refurbishment work in 2009 by a whopping 43%. It’s a staggering figure when you consider 2009 was the year businesses staggered under the weight of the recession. But the reason for a whole swathe of office refurbs has been put down to changing working habits. As flexible working is in and more employees are opting for home working options over office based work, employees are beginning to feel demoralised by ugly office furniture or strip lighting. As a result, more offices are upgrading their office space with office furniture that looks more like our living room furniture; making offices more welcoming is one way of alluring employees back from the comfort of their homes.

As well as a move to homelier offices, there’s a trend for offices to become increasingly open plan, with office furniture that stimulates team work rather than creates divisions for a less hierarchical approach. Trends include kidney shaped computer desks that are softer and more approachable and cushion covered pedestals for people to perch and chat to colleagues on.

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Quality Modern Home Office Desks

January 5th, 2010

There are various ways to improve your office without having to redecorate. If you are looking to make a fresh appearance for your office in 2010 then there are alternative ways to do so without reaching for the paint tin.

Modern office desks are a great choice for any office and there are various amounts to choose from including glass desks and reception desks. Whether you are looking to brighten up your own office, boardroom or waiting area, then you can choose from a whole variety of desks in different colours, shapes, sizes and fabrics.

Specialist suppliers of office desks are proud of their vast selection. For those that want to choose easily and conveniently, specialists have websites that have a whole collection of the ranges of office desks and other office furniture than you may require such as office chairs and storage solutions.

Of course, it’s important that you choose furniture that is of the highest quality to ensure they last as long as you require and from such specialists this is definitely the case. Suppliers of office furniture understand that people can’t afford to replace furniture time and time again and make sure that their products on not only practical but are spectacular.

Modern office desks can be a focal point of a room and if you choose for this to be the case then you need to be sure that the one you pick is perfect for your needs. Such specialists also have a 22,000sqft showroom for people to view the desk they want to ensure they have made the right decision.

So, with 2010 finally here it makes an ideal opportunity for businesses and homes alike to refresh the look of their property and with so much choice available, it has never been easier to do so.

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Comfortable Office Chairs

December 18th, 2009

Comfortable and Stylish Office Chairs

For many office workers comfort is essential. Sitting down all day can cause strain on the back and neck if they are the wrong height but symptoms may not be noticeable straight away. However, one way to solve this is by choosing those office chairs from specialist providers that are supportive and comfortable as well as being stylish and unique.

Whether you prefer to take a look at products online, or want to browse a showroom there are those companies that provide both. With this in mind, you can choose the chairs you want online but see for yourself the quality and craftsmanship that ensure you or your workers are comfortable at all times in their 22,000 sqft showroom.

There is no need to choose between comfort and style with products from office furniture specialists. They have the choice for you to require both with a vast range of colours and fabrics. Whether you want conference seating, ergonomic chairs or simple operator chairs, they are all available for you to choose from.

With so many different pieces of office furniture to choose from to make your office unique, you must still think of the most important aspects; comfort and practicality. It’s vital that people don’t occur back pain problems down the line due to poor posture and by choosing the right office chairs this can be reduced.

The vast ranges to choose from office furniture specialists means you can rest assured that you are bound to find something that suits your style and your comfort needs. With specialists available by phone and in person, you can ask for advice on the best office chairs for your needs. They will be able to advise you based upon your personal requirements as well as taking into consideration the different style aspects that you want to create within your office.

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Stealth Home Office Furniture

December 16th, 2009

Budget Furniture For The Home Office

Many people find that they simply do not have enough time in the day to complete their daily tasks during their time at work and this often means that work has to be taken home and completed during the evenings and weekends.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get motivated at home, yet a designated space with quality home office furniture will create a work away from work feeling that will ensure that the time at home is spent productively.

Hunts Office Furniture, based just outside of the M25, provide a wide selection of furniture suitable for home office use. With a variety of home office desks, storage solutions and seating, at incredibly competitive prices, customers will be sure to create an office environment in their home.

Stealth is just one of the ranges of budget office furniture that Hunts Office Furniture & Interiors have to offer; their selection of book cases, desks, filing cabinets and cupboards can be purchased in a selection of wood species and sizes, creating a bespoke solution for any home office.

Not only do they create a professional office atmosphere but they are competitively priced too, meaning that homeowners can spend more money on the rooms that they want to. The specialists are currently offering up to 48% off some of the products in the Stealth range; customers can take a look at full specifications and pricing on their website.

Alternatively, most of the products can be viewed and tested in their 22,000 sq ft office furniture showroom. Unlike many retailers, in most cases customers can take away the products from the Stealth range on the day of purchase.

For more information about the Stealth range and the other office furniture available from these specialists, order a brochure today by filling out their online contact form.

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X7 Office Desks

December 11th, 2009

Furniture Specialists Keeping Up With The Latest Ranges Of Office Desks And Seating

High quality office desks and seating can have a huge impact upon employee satisfaction in the workplace, as well as the first impressions that a company has upon business prospects.

As you cannot put a price on these all important first impressions, Hunts, office furniture specialists in the UK, have made it their aim to allow businesses access to some of the most functional and aesthetically pleasing office furniture from designers across the UK and Europe.

One of the latest collections of office desks that they are about to add to their range is X7. The product of Italian designers, the desks combine contemporary elegance with pure functionality, to ensure that business owners make the most of their office space.

Suitable for executives, meeting rooms and reception areas; these office desks are not only pleasing to the eye, but also incredibly functional for all of a business’s requirements. Amongst the X7 range are large meeting desks with technical wiring features that allow for a clean, minimalist environment. They also offer a selection of storage solutions and filing cabinets for a streamlined office space.

Built to last and produced using only the highest quality materials, the contemporary feel is communicated in the X7 range through the use of melamine, coupled with glass and chrome.

Dedicated to supplying only the highest quality furniture, Hunts Office Furniture & Interiors is based within a 22,000 sq ft show room located just outside of the M25. With two floors designated to office desks and seating, potential customers are welcomed to test furniture before they buy and discuss their requirements with a member of their experienced team.

For more information, take a look at the comprehensive catalogues on their website or give them a call.

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Contemporary Office Furniture

December 9th, 2009

Contemporary And Affordable Office Furniture

There are many different aspects to making an office more than a workplace. It’s essential to feel inspired, comfortable and rested whilst working away either on the computer or with a desk full of paperwork.

Many offices need a fresh, clean, modern feel to help create a positive atmosphere. Of course, one way to create a pleasant atmosphere without disrupting your staff or spending an extortionate amount of money is by choosing the right office furniture. If you’re finding that your decor is a little drab then modern office furniture is the way to brighten up a room as well as adding style.

Office furniture specialists have so much choice for homes and businesses. Ranges are all available to view on their website so you can decide what would be best to suit your property without even leaving the home. Of course, that said, for those that want to know what their furniture looks like in the flesh, then they can visit such specialists 22,000sq ft show room to ensure they have made the right decision.

Many people want quality and good prices and fortunately by choosing the right supplier, both of these options are available. The magnificent ranges of seating, glass desks, storage and more are affordable as well as being made to the highest quality so are guaranteed to last. With this in mind, you don’t have to think about revamping your office again once all your colours, styles and comforts are met.

Any furniture from a specialist supplier is bound to make your working environment much more enjoyable but if you want more than the norm, then look out for those that supply bright colours, shades and styles to really make the most of your working space.

So if your office could do with a facelift, look at office furniture that’s available from affordable specialists, before reaching for the paint brush.

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Coloured Glass Desks From Office Furniture Specialists

December 4th, 2009

A Wide Variety Of Coloured Glass Desks

There are many different aspects to office furniture that makes items unique. Whether you want specialist chairs, glass desks or storage solutions there is so much to choose from..

Whatever you want to furnish your office, there are vast styles, colours and sizes to choose from depending on which specialist supplier you choose. Glass desks are one piece of furniture that are becoming in demand for many properties because of the ranges that are available.

Whether you want a classic clear glass desk or something more modern such as black, white or even orange, there are companies that can provide you with such a vast you choice you won’t know where to start.

It’s important for anyone to feel comfortable within their office and decor can play a big part in this. The ranges of glass desks, don’t just stop at the table tops. There are ranges to choose from that have different legs, are in different styles and of course, most importantly, sizes.

Many people that have a smaller office choose desks that ideally fit within the space they have but of course, smaller space doesn’t mean you can’t have style. If you want to change the look of your office, then speak to a furniture specialist that provide their customers with stylish glass desks that are designed for any shape or sized office.

Glass desks add a chic element to an office and can create a different look that perhaps other desks may not. With so many different options to choose from they also now brighten up any office as well as adding a professional element to your office.

It’s easy to find out more information in regards to those companies that offer such furniture. They have a whole variety of desks, chairs and much to choose from which can all be viewed on their website.

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