Are Poor Workstation Setups Costing Your Business More Than You Think?

Steven Harrison CMgr MCMI
Apr 6, 2025
4 min read

In an age of hybrid work, hot-desking, and digital overload, it’s easy to overlook a key contributor to health, productivity, and morale: Display Screen Equipment (DSE) compliance.

At SJH Safety Solutions Ltd, we regularly support UK businesses in navigating the world of workplace health and safety – and when it comes to DSE, we’ve noticed a worrying trend: many organisations still treat DSE assessments as a tick-box exercise, or worse, they ignore them altogether.

So, what exactly is DSE, why should it matter to your business, and how can you improve both compliance and employee wellbeing without creating extra admin?

Let’s take a deeper dive.

📌 What Is Display Screen Equipment (DSE)?

DSE refers to devices or equipment with a graphic display screen, commonly including:

Desktop computers and laptops

Tablets and smartphones used for prolonged periods

Multi-screen setups

Display monitors and control screens

Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, employers in the UK are legally required to assess and reduce the risks associated with using DSE at work.

This includes both office-based staff and remote workers who use screens habitually for significant periods of their working day.

⚠️ The Hidden Costs of Ignoring DSE

It’s not uncommon for DSE-related discomfort to be brushed off as “part of the job.” But left unmanaged, poor ergonomic setups can have a significant impact on both individuals and organisations:

🧠 Physical and Mental Health Risks:

Back, neck, shoulder, and wrist pain

Eyestrain, dry eyes, and headaches

Fatigue, anxiety, and reduced concentration

Long-term musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

💼 Business Impacts:

Decreased productivity due to discomfort or distraction

Increased sickness absence and staff turnover

Potential liability or enforcement action for non-compliance

Low morale and disengagement due to a perceived lack of care

And for remote workers? These issues can multiply – especially if they’re working from makeshift desks, sofas, or even kitchen counters.

✅ What Employers Must Do

UK law requires you to:

Identify DSE users – anyone who uses screens as a core part of their job

Carry out a DSE assessment – reviewing their setup, seating, screen height, lighting, etc.

Take action to reduce risk – this may involve equipment adjustments or training

Provide information and training – so employees understand how to set up their workstation correctly

Offer eye tests on request, and provide basic corrective glasses if needed for screen work

This duty of care applies regardless of where your employee is working – whether it’s the office, home, or a hybrid model.

🛠️ What a Good DSE Assessment Looks Like

A quality DSE assessment goes beyond filling out a form.

At SJH Safety Solutions Ltd, we take a practical, tailored approach to help organisations identify risk and implement meaningful improvements. Our assessments include:

📋 Observation and discussion: We review how the individual interacts with their workstation and listen to any reported discomforts or challenges.

🪑 Ergonomic adjustments: Advice on chair height, monitor distance, screen brightness, keyboard/mouse positioning, footrests, etc.

🧠 Behavioural advice: Encouraging posture changes, screen breaks, and working habits that reduce risk.

📎 Clear documentation: You’ll receive a concise report with practical recommendations and follow-up advice.

Whether conducted on-site or remotely, our assessments are designed to minimise disruption and maximise impact.

🏠 Remote Workers: The Overlooked Risk Group

With the shift to home and hybrid working, DSE risk hasn’t disappeared – it’s just become harder to monitor.

Many remote workers set up wherever they can, often without ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, or proper lighting. That’s where remote DSE assessments become essential.

We support employers in ensuring their duty of care doesn’t stop at the office door. Our virtual assessments include guided video calls, workstation reviews via photos, and recommendations that fit into each individual’s unique home setup.

💬 Common Misconceptions We Hear

“We’ve never had a DSE-related claim, so we must be fine.”

False. Lack of reported issues doesn’t mean the risks don’t exist — it often just means they’ve gone unnoticed.

“People can sort their own setup – they know what works best.”

Not necessarily. Many employees aren’t trained in ergonomic principles and may unknowingly create setups that cause long-term harm.

“We don’t need to assess staff working from home.”

Incorrect. DSE legislation applies to all habitual screen users – wherever they are working.

🧑‍🏫 Shifting the Culture: From Compliance to Care

A proactive approach to DSE is about more than avoiding enforcement action. It’s about demonstrating care, building trust with employees, and embedding wellbeing into your company’s safety culture.

When staff feel supported, listened to, and equipped with what they need to stay healthy at work, you see:

💡 Higher engagement and morale

📈 Better focus and productivity

🛡️ A more resilient, compliant business