For regular home or hybrid laptop work, choose equipment to address a need identified in a display screen equipment (DSE) workstation assessment, rather than buying a monitor or dock by default. A raised laptop screen calls for a separate keyboard and mouse during prolonged use; a separate monitor may suit a need for independent screen positioning or more display space, while a dock requires checks against the exact laptop and displays. Where the UK DSE rules apply and an assessment identifies equipment that is needed, the Health and Safety Executive says the worker cannot be charged for it, so discuss provision with your employer before buying it yourself.
If you use a laptop for sustained work at home, consider whether you need to position its screen and input devices separately. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identifies a laptop riser with a separate keyboard and mouse, or a separate display, as setup options.
If you routinely work at home and in an office, consider both arrangements rather than assuming that equipment suited to one desk will suit the other. The HSE says DSE rules can apply to workers who routinely split their time between the two locations.
If a DSE assessment identifies equipment that is needed, ask your employer about provision before paying for it. The HSE says workers covered by the rules cannot be charged for action required by the assessment; Acas advises employers and staff to agree who provides or pays for equipment and repairs.
Start with your work pattern and existing workstation, then identify the change needed. Check connections and employer provision before choosing a particular device.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Workstation assessment | Consider how regularly and for how long you work on a screen. Check whether the existing home arrangement is suitable and, for hybrid work, consider the office arrangement too. | I want to know what needs changing before adding equipment to either desk. |
| Screen and input position | For prolonged laptop use, check whether raising the screen also calls for a separate keyboard and mouse. If considering a monitor, check where its screen and input devices will sit on the desk. | My laptop screen needs a different position, or I need more display space without tying screen height to the built-in keyboard. |
| Display connection | Check the exact laptop model’s video-output modes, the monitor or dock inputs, the intended display arrangement and the required cable. The Video Electronics Standards Association describes DisplayPort video over USB-C as an Alternate Mode function; the connector shape alone is not a compatibility check. | I need the chosen screen or dock to work with my laptop, not merely to have a connector that looks right. |
| Charging and peripherals | Check whether a dock is needed for the devices you intend to connect and whether its host requirements are met. If charging through a monitor or dock matters, compare its stated power capability with the laptop’s requirements; the USB Implementers Forum describes charging while displaying as a supported arrangement, not a feature of every USB-C connection. | A single connection would help at my desk, but only if it supports the display, peripherals and charging I intend to use. |
| Equipment provision | Share any DSE assessment finding with your employer and confirm who will provide equipment and handle repairs. Where the UK DSE rules apply, the HSE says workers cannot be charged for equipment required as a result of the assessment. | Before I pay for work equipment myself, I want to distinguish an optional preference from an assessed requirement. |
A monitor, riser or dock may add desk complexity without addressing the arrangement that needs changing. The HSE notes that home workers do not automatically need office-type equipment.
Review the work pattern, existing equipment and available desk space first, then choose the change indicated by the assessment.
Moving the laptop screen upwards also moves its keyboard and trackpad. For prolonged laptop use, the HSE advises a separate keyboard and mouse so the screen can be elevated independently.
Plan space for those input devices alongside a riser, or consider a separately positioned display if that addresses the assessed need.
A matching connector does not establish that a laptop, cable, monitor or dock supports the intended display and power functions. DisplayPort video over USB-C uses Alternate Mode, while charging depends on the compatible power arrangement.
Check the exact laptop model, the display or dock requirements, the cable and any charging-power requirement before choosing a connection.
Where the UK DSE rules apply, the HSE says a worker cannot be charged for action required by a DSE workstation assessment, including provision of equipment.
Discuss the assessment finding with your employer and agree on provision and repairs before making a personal purchase.
Use these ranges to identify the type of equipment to check; suitability depends on the particular model and your workstation.
Dell UK lists monitors and USB-C docking stations for laptop-centred desk arrangements.
Kensington offers laptop risers and docking stations relevant to raised-laptop and connected-desk setups.
Logitech UK lists external keyboards and mice, including its Ergo Series, for setups that need independently placed input devices.
These options cover separate monitors, a USB-C dock and a keyboard-and-mouse set for laptop-based work. Match the type of equipment to your workstation need before checking the exact model’s connections and other requirements.
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A separate-screen option when the workstation assessment points to independently positioning a display. The product name identifies an IPS WUXGA model; check the laptop’s video output, the intended connection and any charging requirement before choosing it.
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Consider this separate display if your workstation needs a screen positioned independently of the laptop. Its product name specifies IPS WQHD; check the laptop’s video-output support and the connection you intend to use, including charging capability if that matters to you.
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A separate-screen option to consider when you work at more than one location. The model name specifies FHD; confirm that the exact laptop supports the display connection needed for this model before relying on it in either workspace.
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Consider a dock when the assessed desk arrangement calls for connected displays or peripherals. This model is identified as a dual-HDMI 4K dock with 100W Power Delivery pass-through; check the exact laptop’s supported display arrangement and whether the power adapter needed for your setup is included.
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A keyboard-and-mouse set to consider when you need to place input devices separately from the laptop screen. Check the keyboard layout and connection compatibility for your work devices; separate input devices alone do not change the screen’s position.
No. The Health and Safety Executive says the DSE rules do not apply to occasional or short-period home use, and workers may not need office-type equipment even when the rules apply. An assessment should establish whether the existing arrangement is suitable and what change, if any, is needed.
Where the UK DSE rules apply and a workstation assessment indicates action is needed, such as providing equipment, the Health and Safety Executive says the worker cannot be charged. The equipment required depends on the individual assessment and work arrangement.
Yes, the Health and Safety Executive says a worker may complete a DSE self-assessment if given suitable training. If you routinely split work between home and an office, consider both workstations.
Check the exact laptop’s video-output support, the monitor or dock connections, the intended number of displays, the cable and any charging requirement. The Video Electronics Standards Association describes DisplayPort video over USB-C as an Alternate Mode function, while the USB Implementers Forum describes compatible power delivery; a USB-C-shaped port alone does not establish either capability.
For prolonged laptop use, the Health and Safety Executive advises a separate keyboard and mouse so the screen can be raised without also raising the built-in controls. Check that your desk has room to position all three components.