The mental health and physical well-being of office workers have been the focus of countless studies over the years. This sedentary kind of work can lead to all sorts of health problems, particularly when the ergonomics in the office are poor. Every office manager and director needs to make sure employee health is being looked after.
Ergonomics is a critical part of this.
What is ‘ergonomics’?
The term ergonomics originates from the Greek terms for work and law.
In essence, ergonomics refers to the way that people interact with the components that they are using to complete an activity. In the case of the office worker, this includes the desk or workstation, chair, computer, and any other equipment that they might be using. Poor interactions can lead to health implications, while positive interactions mean a better level of well-being for the office worker.
Ergonomics determines that a person enjoying positive interactions with their tools and equipment will be healthier and happier, as well as more effective at the task at hand. On the other hand, poor ergonomics comes with a range of disadvantages.
Why is a healthy office important?
Every employer has a duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all. In an office, this means that employees should enjoy working conditions that do not negatively affect their mental or physical health. The workplace itself should be providing essential elements such as lighting, functional furniture, safe passageways, bathrooms, and more.
An office that promotes good health in its employees will reap a range of benefits on top of this. That might include increased productivity, happier people, stronger relationships between employees and management, heightened creativity, and much more. And quality ergonomics contributes directly to this.
Overall, an office that promotes good health in your workers will lead to a more productive and happier organisation.
How can you improve the ergonomics in your Sydney office?
Improved ergonomics should be the aim of every office-based business. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the ways you can improve the ergonomics of your workplace.
The workstation is priority number one
Your employees will likely spend the majority of their day sitting at their workstations or desk. The way they sit and the quality of their workstation, chair, and computer set-up, will have a significant impact on their ongoing health. This is exactly why you should be investing in quality chairs and workstations for your people.
A qualified ergonomics officer is always a great addition to any workplace. They will ensure that any new starters are set up properly at their new desk, with the right settings and adjustments on their chair, desk, and computer. This prevents poor posture, bad habits, strains, and injuries in the long term.
Remember that every employee is different
One setup might work for a certain employee, but it’s not guaranteed to work for a different worker. This is why each and every worker in your office should be should receive orientation and set-up from an ergonomics officer. Do ensure that management is always receptive to the needs of workers too, such as standing desks, different chairs, or a different allocation of tasks.
Your employees will be much happier, and physically better off when their personal needs are met, as opposed to cookie-cutter solutions for all of your people. It might be more expensive and require more effort from management, but in the long-run, it’s certainly worth it
Listen to your people
Throughout this process, make sure you ask your employees what they want or need. It’s your people who are the ones using these workstations on a daily basis. Therefore, they know best what is working for their body and mind. Encourage your people to give regular feedback and to ensure they are approaching management whenever there is a problem.
Expert office design in Sydney
The best way to create a truly healthy workplace is to work with Sydney office design experts. At Niche Projects, we’re the best in the business when it comes to creating a workplace that promotes good health among your staff. We work with businesses big and small, creating their perfect office from scratch.
We fully understand the importance of furniture in maintaining a healthy working environment. That’s why we work with quality office furniture companies to source the very best workstations and office chairs for your employees. This kind of quality helps to ensure that back injuries and neck strain are kept to a minimum, and your people are healthier than ever.
We also prioritise natural elements in the workplace, such as natural light, plants, and wherever possible, fresh air. Weaving these elements into your office design creates a much healthier environment for your people, reducing illness and stress, while increasing productivity and creativity. We’d love to work with you to ensure the ergonomics in your office are optimised for success.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your office fit-out or refurbishment.
