DET Staff can access the following staff wellbeing services

EAP  - Employee Assistance Program - Free Counselling service

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/safetyhw/Pages/employeeservices.aspx

Principal Class - can access the Principal Health & Wellbeing Strategy suite

Support and Service (Schools) > Human Resources > Principal Health and Wellbeing > Principal Health and Wellbeing Strategy (eduweb.vic.gov.au) 

DETVIC for health advice https://detvic.lifeworks.com/  

Virtual Gym (FREE) https://www.chmvirtual4.com/ 

                      Select from the following workouts:

Cardio, Yoga, Meditation, Breathe, Dance, Pilates, Strength, Stretch, Fight & Barre. 

It also has recipes, articles, e-magazines, health calculators and other advice - well worth the look.

During remote Learning: Setting up your workspace

When working away from the office, you may not have access to your usual office set up and will likely be utilising a laptop to complete your work. The tips below will allow you to set your workstation up effectively throughout this period.

Working with a laptop

☺    Place your laptop on an adjustable stand so you can use it as a separate screen.

Tip: elevate your laptop by using a laptop stand or by sitting it on some books.

-        Have your screen positioned at eye level, reducing the need to bend or rotate the head.

-        Position your screen approximately arm’s length away.

☺    Attach an external keyboard and mouse.

Tip: If you need to take your keyboard, mouse and skype headset from work please check in with your manager for approval

-        Position your keyboard at a height to allow your shoulders and arms to be at a re elbows at a 90◦ angle

-        Position your mouse near to your body keeping your wrist flat whilst in use

☺    Avoid screen glare by positioning yourself so you do not have a window behind you.

☺    Ensure correct seating posture.

Seating

Some handy tips for your seat set up and use are provided below:

☺    Position your chair so the seat pan is just below the knee when you are standing directly in front of it.

☺    When seated your feet should be firmly on the ground.

Tip: If your feet do not reach the floor, utilise a footrest (you can make one out of boxes or books if needed).

☺    Aim for a 5cm clearance between the top of the leg and the desk when your chair is pushed in.

☺    Aim for your back rest to be at a 90◦ angle.

-        If you can, adjust the forward/backwards motion and the up/down motion of the back rest to fit the hollow of your back.

Lighting

☺    When working it is important to consider the lighting of your environment.

☺    Where possible, use natural lighting from windows.

☺    Adjust your position, window coverings or lighting throughout the day as natural light shifts.

☺    Consider desk or task specific lighting where shadows are a problem or general lighting is not suitable.

☺    Look away from the screen every half hour for a minute to reduce eye fatigue.

Stretching

Regardless of whether you are in your normal work environment or working away from the office, regular stretching will assist in reducing neck, shoulder and back pain. Above are some simple stretches you can do, but importantly – do not stretch outside your body’s limits.