According to research conducted by contact lenses manufacturer Acuvue, office workers spend about 6.5 hours a day sitting in front of their computer screens. The study further revealed that the average office worker spends a massive 1700 hours in front of their screens throughout the year.
Everything that we utilise in our daily lives is transforming, and the statistics mentioned above showcase just a glimpse of what our future looks like. The future is undoubtedly digital, which means that we will be surrounded by more screens, smart devices, smart furniture and if not in the coming years but eventually everything will be transformed into IOT (Internet of Things) devices. Over the years, working styles and culture has also evolved drastically, and organisations have also observed the need for a balanced workplace which does not affect the health of the employees adversely.
What are Office Ergonomics?
In terms of the workplace, ergonomics are actually the formation of a workstation according to the worker to build a more comfortable environment to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. When considering workplace ergonomics, physical and environmental aspects are the primary factors that are supposed to be vital. Global organisations have identified the role that ergonomics play in increasing productivity and creating a holistic environment for the employees. Hence, more and more organisations have started integrating ergonomics in their workplaces more intrinsically.
The Negative Impact
When looking to create an ergonomically perfect workplace, all physical and environmental aspects of the job are considered. While physical aspects include stress, pressure on joints, muscles, nerves, tendons and even the eye muscles. However, environmental factors can also have adverse effects and the factors varying from lighting, temperature, noise, air and general comfort.
According to research, the most common work-related injury occurs in the lower back of the body. If a workplace is ergonomically balanced, you are reducing the risk of Musculoskeletal injuries which is commonly known as ‘MSD’. Nobody likes a discomforting working environment, and poor ergonomics can lead to frustration and demotivation which would negatively impact the true potential of an employee.   Â
How to improve Ergonomics?
Well, in the current era, workers want more just than a paycheck, it is imperative for an employer to keep the employee happy and healthy and move forward with an innovative approach to create an ergonomically balanced workplace environment. A straightforward initiative is to create a workstation that allows good posture, fewer repetitions and decreased exertion and you will witness a positive change in the level of efficiency and productivity. Office furniture plays an equally important role in improving workplace ergonomics, and the employees should also be educated that how sitting postures affect the workplace and their productivity. Brands like Century Office which are present in this segment for more than four decades analysed the importance of ergonomics quite early and had been creating ergonomically detailed furniture since then.
Nobody likes a dim working environment and having an adequate amount of lighting is essential for a workplace. Similarly, no employee can continuously sit and work for nine hours and employees should be given an option to work on standing tables and ease their postures for a while.
Thus, office ergonomics can incite a positive change in the workplace environment and even improve employee retention. These short term investments in furniture and other aspects can build a healthy and trustworthy bond that can eventually increase the overall productivity and efficiency.
