Every employee should be taken care of and investing in workplace ergonomics is one good way of doing this. According to the AIA Vitality Healthiest Workplace survey, employees in Asia work longer hours compared to those in the UK and Australia but are less productive due to the higher physical and mental demands of work. On top of that, Professor Dr. Zafir Khan Mohamed Makhbul highlights how the current health crisis can further bog down every employee’s health.

Ergonomics helps lighten the physical and mental strain of work simply through optimizing the design of everyday workplace tools and the workspace arrangement. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the importance of ergonomics ⁠— whether it’s in a corporate or home office setting ⁠— and how to create an ergonomic workplace.

What You Can Get Out of Ergonomics in the Workplace

With optimal environmental conditions, any type of employee will find it easier to work their best. This is where ergonomics comes in. For one, good workspace ergonomics can help with employees’ wellbeing since poor ergonomic conditions are linked to several ailments like migraines, back injury, neck pain, and musculoskeletal disorders. By improving workplace ergonomics, business leaders can help prevent their employees from developing these medical conditions ⁠— leading to fewer sick days and more productivity.

Secondly, ergonomics can help enhance employee productivity and work quality. When a workplace is designed in a way that helps employees maintain good posture, lessens the physical strain of work, and has a structured way of manoeuvring around it, every employee will be more efficient. This also lessens the fatigue and mental frustration experienced by workers who do physically taxing tasks.

Lastly, business leaders can reinforce how much they care for their employees by improving office ergonomics. An ergonomic workplace is synonymous to one that prioritizes safety, and many employees will more than appreciate all efforts that help them protect their health.

All in all, EHS today highlights that all of the benefits of an ergonomic workplace culminates into cost savings for employers since ergonomics helps reduce worker’s compensation claims, mitigating lost workdays, and boosting employee engagement and productivity. This is crucial, now more than ever, as current market demands necessitate the constant change of working arrangements and duties — forcing a ton of stress and physical strain on the general workforce.

How To Build an Ergonomic Workplace

To create an ergonomic office, there are a set of general guidelines that managers need to follow. For one, office chairs should have good back support that allows vertical and horizontal adjustability so a worker can sit as comfortably as they can while retaining good posture. In some cases where the chair is too high or the desk requires an employee to raise the height of their chair, a footrest can help make a difference. Keyboard and mouse wrist pads can help those who use their computers all day.

For those whose teams are working remotely, it’s important for managers to ensure that their members have good ergonomics even while working at home. Painfree Working’s guide to ergonomic dos and don’ts for workers at home highlights how they should try to carve their own workspace in their homes by finding the most ergonomic spot and sticking to it. Doing this helps work-from-home employees avoid working from their couch or bed ⁠— both of which enable poor posture and bad ergonomics.

All in all, an ergonomic workplace spells a ton of benefits for both the employer and the employee. And since the Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report notes that an overwhelming 87% of workers would like for workplaces to be better for their wellbeing by including ergonomic practices, it’s time for business leaders and managers to do what it takes to create an ergonomic workplace.

Specially written for smrhrgroup.com

by Benja Joyce