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[C399]Changes In The Workplace

by Peter Velikanov, Pet

As the number of employees who work in an office environment increases, so do the number of common office injuries. This is because many offices do not have an ergonomically-correct facility for their workers. In recent years, having an ergonomically-correct work environment has become as important as pay scales and benefits packages. Employees want to know that the time they put in the office on a daily basis is not contributing to a decline in their health with onset of afflictions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Repetitive Stress Injury.

Many people are not aware of the very, very significant benefits of an ergonomically correct workplace environment. Ergonomics encompasses a variety of different workplace conditions, including:

- Workstation design
- Temperature
- Lighting
- Noise
- Shift Work
- Breaks
- Meals
- Machine Design

In the past, problems associated with Repetitive Stress Injury and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, were reported in large numbers. Since companies have received more information over the last decade about how to set up a more ergonomically-correct environment, the number of instances of RSI and CTS has decreased. However, the numbers are still much higher than they should be given the wealth of information available about ergonomics and the workplace. This is why training for companies about the benefits of being ergonomically correct is so important. The more information that individual companies have, the better they can serve their employees and assist them in staying well and producing better results.

There are a number of benefits to working in an ergonomically-correct environment. They include:

- Peaces of mind, knowing you are working in safe, healthy conditions
- Increased productivity due to an elevated comfort level
- Lower occurrences of employee absence due to injuries from afflictions such as -RSI and CTS
- Lower instances of workers compensation claims due to repetitive stress injuries

Setting up an ergonomically correct workplace is not as hard as most would think. Taking small steps regularly can add up to big benefits in the end. Purchasing an ergonomically correct chair or keyboard can immediately help with some of the ailments people who work in an ergonomically-incorrect environment often experience.

Cost is often an issue, but you don't have to spend too much at one time. For example, employers could begin by replacing one item at a time throughout the office. This would assist in bringing the office current on ergonomic regulations without having to spend a large chunk of money at once. The lack of funding is often the reason smaller offices cite when asked why their facility is not ergonomically correct. Making small improvements can take the monetary pressure off, while still allowing the employer to make ergonomic improvements.

Some of the main culprits that contribute to an unhealthy working environment include:

- An ergonomically-incorrect chair that does not provide proper back and leg support, leans back at an improper angle, does not contain arm supports and is not adjustable

- A workstation that sits too high or too low

- A mouse that does not provide zero to no tension

- A support for your wrist for when you are using the mouse

- A telephone with no neck support to keep from leaning into the phone and straining your neck

- A keyboard that is ergonomically incorrect with a design that causes you hands to constantly have to move back and forth along the entire length of the keyboard

- Low lighting that causes you to strain your eyes

- Sitting too long in one spot

- No foot support, which will allow your legs to be elevated to a proper angle

All of these culprits are easily solved by a combination of an ergonomically correct work environment and steps that you can take on your part to assure efficiency and an overall sense of general health.

Some steps that your employer can take include:

- Providing proper office equipment

- Conduct employee training on proper ergonomic practices

- Conduct periodic inspections of equipment to ensure everything is working properly

In addition to these steps, you can do things as well to ensure your own health. These steps include:

- Take frequent breaks

- Speak up if you are uncomfortable, having physical problems due to ergonomically incorrect conditions

- Be sure that all aspects of your workstation are in line with proper ergonomic procedure

- Listen and actively participate in ergonomic workplace training

- Keep detailed information on any ailments you've received as a result of an ergonomically incorrect workplace environment.

The combination of you and your employer's knowledge of the importance of an ergonomically correct workplace will contribute to an increased level of productivity as well as a general sense of well-being at work. Studies have shown that happier employees produce better results and making sure your workplace is ergonomically correct is the first step to achieving such positive levels of success.

Motivation levels are very low and workers do what is necessary by agreeing, smiling and nodding heads in order to climb the corporate ladder. Employees in the United Kingdom work on average the longest hours per week in their main job (compared with the rest of the EU) and this holds for both men and women. Men's hours range from 39 per week in Belgium and the Netherlands to 42 in Greece and 45 in the United Kingdom. Women's hours all fall in the range 36 hours (Italy) to 41 hours (United Kingdom).

This issue needs to be addressed in order to improve the state of "corporate health". According to statistics, over 2 million people are suffering from an illness or injury which they believe is caused or made worse by their current or past work (Health and Occupation Reporting Network).

An overwhelming 97% of senior HR professionals believe that stress at work is the biggest threat to the future health of the UK workforce.

Stress and musculoskeletal injuries are the most common cause of absence in business, and according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, staff on average cost an employer £567 EACH per year in lost earnings through absence, although this figure could actually be tripled when the indirect costs of sickness in loss of sales, reduced customer service and lower productivity are taken into account.

Some 32.9 million working days are lost annually from people taking time off due to their illnesses.

The Cost of Back Pain: Over 1.1 million people in the UK experience musculoskeletal disorders caused by work, with an estimated 12.3 million days lost annually because of this.

The Cost of Work Related Stress: Stress is a natural reaction people have to excessive pressures placed upon them. While not an illness itself, if it is prolonged or intense it can lead to mental and physical ill health. This can include depression, back pain or heart disease.

In the United Kingdom as many as one in five people are suffering form high levels of work related stress (that's around 5 million workers). Around half a million individuals report experiencing stress at a level they believe made them ill. This results in approximately 13.4 million working days lost per year.

What Can Be Done? Studies have shown that not only does exercise keep you looking and feeling your best, it helps boost energy and concentration, therefore making you much more productive at work. According to an MSNBC report, 60% of workers that participated in a recent British study indicated that taking an "exercise break" during the day boosted their time management, mental performance, and ability to meet deadlines. Researchers found that exercise provided a performance boost of up to 15%. It also improved worker's overall mood at the end of the day. The type of exercise, the duration, and the intensity didn't seem to matter. The effect was observed over a wide range of activities including yoga, strength training, and aerobics. We recommend taking a couple of small 15-30 minute breaks during the day is a great way to renew your focus, concentration, and energy. This is especially true for creative knowledge workers who have to concentrate intensely for long periods of time over the course of a typical workday. Exercise is a great activity for break time because it not only gives you an immediate energy boost, but it also helps you release stress and deal with job pressures. Some activities to consider during your breaks include light stretching or talking a stroll outside. If you'd rather not sweat too much while at work, you can save more intense physical activity for lunchtime (when you can shower) or after work.

"Corporate wellness" programmes are a growing sector within many businesses to promote the physical health of employees for the purposes of increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism.

The format of most programmes usually involves health checks, seminars and cut priced gym memberships. This service is a huge step in the right direction and should be promoted to all businesses. Although this alone may make an employee feel upbeat about their job for a little longer it doesn't really address the real issues.

Research has suggested that nearly half of all Brits blame the demands of the workplace for preventing them from getting to the gym, so what use is a cut price membership if you can't find the time to exercise??

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Both Peter Velikanov & David Osgathorp are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Peter Velikanov has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Computers and The Internet and Marriage. Peter Velikanov writes about . Peter Velikanov's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.

David Osgathorp has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Fitness. David Osgathorp Owner, All About You Performance & Wellbeing. Unit 3 Broadbent Close, Highgate, London, N6 5JW. Tel: 020 8348 9706, Mob: 07779 729122. If you would like more information then pleas contact us via the website:. David Osgathorp's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.