Update: HR backed off the home visit, but now wants photos and a waiver

Quick update to my earlier post about the company rolling out required home office ergonomic assessments. After a lot of pushback (not just from me), HR said they will not do in-person visits for now. That is a relief.

But the new plan feels like the same thing repackaged. They want 6 to 8 photos of our workspace (desk, chair, under the desk, outlets and cables, monitor setup, and a wide shot of the room) and they want us to sign a “remote workspace safety acknowledgment.” The form basically says we are responsible for keeping the area safe and that we agree to follow any recommendations.

My setup is messy and realistic: two kids (6 and 3), and my workspace is in the corner of our bedroom where toys and laundry end up. I can stage things for a photo, but I do not love sending pictures of the inside of my home to my employer, even if it is just a corner. I also do not know how permanent the recommendations will be. If I show a power strip in a photo, will I be stuck buying a replacement or be written up later if a cable looks messy?

Has anyone dealt with this photo-and-waiver approach? What did you actually send, and did it turn into ongoing policing? I want to be cooperative without giving up privacy or signing something that could be used against me later.