Anyone know if an employer should be providing a proper chair to work from?
We were requested to complete a work from home form at the start of April, the form had specific questions regrading suitable seating. I answered truthfully, that i have no suitable chair., Also verbally informed my manager.
We have now been WFH for 5 weeks, myself and my colleagues have repeatedly asked about ordering suitable chairs but nothing is happening.
All of us are suffering with stiff backs to some degree.
I bought my own.
Now isnât the time to be kicking up a fuss, at my work anyway.
They offered to buy chairs but only the chairs they want for a new conference room.
Those chairs arent available currently so the offer was withdrawn.
Years ago when I was asked to wfh I had to send photos of my office to HR before I got the ok. They paid for the chair that I still have. It is a good one too.
Iâm starting a fully remote role next week and while there is no workstation assessment for health and safety, theyâve just given me ÂŁ300 for a desk and chair. Might have spent double that as I canât do wobbly flat pack
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Itâs slightly complicated. In general the employer is responsible for ensuring that a home worker has the right environment, including chairs, IT kit and so on. However, if itâs temporary than itâs not considered an issue. âTemporaryâ is not defined.
See here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workers/home.htm
I broadly agree with @gthang, it might not be the time to make a fuss - is it worth just buying a ÂŁ50 chair and hope it all goes away fairly quickly? Real office chairs are expensive.
Presumably you had a suitable chair while you were at work. Any chance theyâd let you take it home ?
VB
Yes is the simple answer. Are you public sector?
A good chair is one thing (and reasonably important), but sitting in it with good posture is quite another! Also whatever chair youâve got its a good idea to get up every 30 mins or so.
I would hazard a guess its stiff/ tight hips rather than back most of the time. And sitting in a chair and using a laptop also causes the shoulders to ârollâ forward which then creates discomfort and pain in the neck/ traps/ shoulder blades.
You can tell where this is going canât you? 
Vinyl FTW!
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No, chairs were supplied by the building management company. The week we were sent home was the week we should have changed to a new office location, for that they do need to buy chairs.
No, private.
Plenty of places selling refurbished office kit for good money. I got a proper chair for ÂŁ60
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I have a fixed back chair from a dinning table, it is too high for my work desk so i am slouching forward. My shoulders and upper back are causing the most pain at the moment.
If you can afford it, buy your own for now. Used itâs quite cheap
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Best advice 
I have been working at the dining table for 5 weeks. I have a cushion behind the small of my back and one of these as a foot rest. I also stretch twice a day to avoid back pain.
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That would be my approach, most people are saving money on commute so not all bad
Im not exactly flush at the moment.
I am getting up and stretching once an hour.
For anyone working at home Iâd recommend doing the following, once in the morning and then again when youâve finished for the day, about 5 mins twice a day for a lot of benefit.
- Banded face pulls
- Band pull aparts
- Hip flexor stretch
On top of getting up and moving every 30 mins and being mindful to keep your shoulders back when sitting, this should over time improve your posture and make you more resilient to aches from sitting etc. You should notice over time your shoulders side on being in more neutral position/ in line with your neck.
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Ive been continuing with my normal exercise routine, will add those in.
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I do get what poeple are saying regarding self funding a chair.
My beef is that they sent us an assessment form which made them fully aware of the situation, then chose to ignore it.