Report spotlights perils of working from home

Working from home can be bad for your health because of “sweatshop” conditions such as poor lighting and cramped space, according to a new report published in the UK today.

A survey of 1,000 people found that one in four worked at a kitchen or dining room table and 10% used any space they could find around the house.

Most of those questioned by printer manufacturer Lexmark said they did not have enough room to work effectively.

But the research showed people still preferred to work at home rather than in an office because of the freedom and flexibility and few distractions.

“The perception of the home office is that it offers more freedom and flexibility and is a modern and comfortable way to work” said Giovanni Giusti, managing director of Lexmark UK.

“Our research shows the reality is that people are suffering the worst conditions, working in dark, cramped and uncomfortable spaces, forced to give up room to various pieces of office technology and strangled by miles of cables and wiring.”