Boost Productivity With Better Workstation Ergonomics!

Your employees spend many hours in front of their computer. Poor posture can cause numerous problems (with their back, neck, wrists, etc.), which could not only damage employees' health, but also lead to a greater number of absences. Make your managers aware of this, and invest in ergonomic furniture and an ergonomic environment—it's as much in your interest as your employees'. With better workstation ergonomics, you will reduce the risk of injuries, prioritize your employees' wellbeing, and boost their productivity. It's a triple whammy!

Who hasn't had a sore back or wrists after a long day working on the computer? According the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, "Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves... most WMSD affect the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, and shoulders." A study carried out in 2014 has also shown that simply being sedentary for several hours a day can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. Essentially, remaining seated for long periods can cause numerous problems that could in turn lead to illness-related absence or even to permanent disabilities, which could have an impact on the company's performance. What's more, accidents at work are costly. Parachute, an Ontario-based injury prevention consultation firm, health and safety promotion, found that preventable injuries cost the Canadian economy $29.4 billion each year, and that falls were the leading cause of injury deaths.. Every company director should therefore prioritize providing a healthy and safe workplace.

Set up ergonomic workstations

Choosing ergonomic furniture will have a significant impact on your employees' wellbeing, motivation, and productivity, and it does not necessarily require a big investment. Here are some examples of equipment that team leaders in your organization could use to help your staff improve their posture and minimize tension in at-risk areas of the body:

• Adjustable chairs
• Wrist supports
• Footrests
• Monitor/laptop stand

Given that everyone is different, each employee should be able to adjust their workstation how they see fit. They should all receive the necessary support to make these adjustments. A procedure should be put in place for this, and it should be upheld by management and team leaders.

As well as this basic equipment, you may be surprised to hear that it is also a good idea to provide your staff with:

• an ideal room temperature: it should not be too humid or too dry, so as not to aggravate allergies or disorders.
• access to natural light: a study carried out in 2014 has shown that people exposed to natural light through windows have better sleep quality, more energy, and a higher level of concentration.
• good lighting: this will reduce eye strain and headaches.
• plants in the workplace: having plants in the office can reduce stress and facilitate concentration, as well as absorb noise (in some cases).  
• noise level management: room dividers or acoustic partition walls will help muffle noise.

Managers and team leaders could enlist the help of an ergonomist to ensure they provide the best workstations possible. 

Encourage mobility

According to the Ergotron Index report, JustStand®:

• 68% of employees have to remain seated during their whole working day
• 61% do not like or hate sitting down all day
• 84% would prefer to be able to sit down and stand up when they want to

In fact, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends not sitting down for more than 50 minutes at a time. Companies are choosing to invest more and more in adjustable standing desks to allow their employees to change position and feel better. For small spaces, you can even get these desks in foldable versions that attach to the wall.

Over the last few years, businesses have been favouring flexible and collaborative workspaces to encourage mobility and bring employees together, while still preserving their privacy. Aura, a design-build office environment consultancy, says “furniture, architecture, openness, layout, colour, and even access to privacy are key pillars of collaborative office spaces.” 

Ergonomics: Good for health and morale

Good workstation and work environment ergonomics will not only have a positive effect on employees' physical health—it will also benefit their mental health. With more comfortable offices, they can feel less stressed, be in a better mood, and do their job well. They could also increase their job satisfaction, thus influencing your company's staff retention rate.

Providing a healthy and safe workplace which is conducive to staff fulfilment is an important factor in a company's productivity. By ensuring that good workstation ergonomics have been put in place in your organization, you are investing in much more than just an ergonomic workstation and work environment—you are also reducing staff turnover, absences, and the costs associated with accidents at work, all while improving productivity. You have everything to gain from promoting health and safety in your company.