If you want a happy, healthy workforce, it is worth investing in good ergonomic design. Here are ten tips to make your employees more comfortable while working.

Ergonomics are important, especially if you have a business to run. If you want your workforce to be productive, motivated and healthy, you should be considering how to make sure they are as comfortable as possible in the office. Otherwise, you could end up losing money.

Something as simple as employee comfort can have huge effects on how much work gets done and how happy your staff are, both of which can make a big difference to your bottom line. And it doesn’t have to cost much to implement. Here are ten different ways you can easily improve the ergonomics of your workplace.

Encourage regular desk breaks

Sitting in the same position all day can lead to spinal problems, as well as wider health issues such as obesity and diabetes. It’s therefore a good idea to encourage your staff to take some time each day to work away from their usual desks.

This can be as simple as having some beanbags or a sofa that people can use as and when they need to, but it can do a lot of good. Having a break from their usual posture will help prevent a lot of the issues associated with excess sitting.

Make use of adjustable desks and chairs

Another way to make sure your employees are able to vary their positions and posture is to implement adjustable furniture. This allows them to switch between sitting and standing as they choose, as well as being able to have their workstation set up at the perfect height.

For example, the Smart2Ergo Agile 1.2 desk can be lowered to just 65cm off the ground, or raised all the way to 130cm. This gives your employees the ability to choose the heights that best suit them, and switch between them as needed.

Set posture reminders for your team

Of course, having the ability to switch posture whenever necessary is no use if your employees forget to do so. In order to make sure your staff aren’t staying still for too long, it is a good idea to set up reminders for them.

This can be done through emails, or a shared calendar if your organisation makes use of one. All you have to do is automate a reminder to be sent out at regular intervals to remind your staff to change up their posture.

Adjust monitor heights

Another issue with office ergonomics is that many of us strain our necks looking at computer screens that are either too far above or below our eye level. While most monitors are set at a fixed height, there is a way you can overcome this.

Adjustable monitor arms, which come in a range of different styles, allow you to freely move your computer screen to the height and position that is most comfortable for you. Investing in these will prevent your employees hurting their necks or eyes.

Check your team’s keyboard and mouse distance

Another issue your staff might run into is bad posture caused by their keyboard and mouse. If these are too far from the edge of the desk, they could end up slumping forwards in order to type, which is not good for their backs.

Make sure your employees’ keyboards and mouses are as close to the edges of their desks as possible. If they use laptops, it is worth investing in separate peripherals. If not, your staff could end up too close to their screens as they work.

Consider the office temperature

Everyone knows how difficult it is to work if you’re swelteringly hot or freezing cold. Even small temperature variations can make people uncomfortable, which in turn makes it harder for them to get their work done.

Fixing the temperature will allow your staff to focus on their jobs, rather than struggling through the heat or cold. Make sure your employees know they’re able to adjust the thermostat, but be prepared to step in to find a happy medium if there are any disagreements.

Encourage your staff to take screen breaks

So much work is done at computers these days that it seems impossible to run a business without them. Unfortunately, this means most of your employees will probably be staring at a screen for eight solid hours a day, which is terrible for their eyes.

To avoid them feeling uncomfortable and developing health problems, simply ensure they take a 15-minute break every two hours. You will regain this time back in productivity, as they are able to get on with their work without headaches and eye pain.

Install footrests at desks

Another way to improve your employees’ posture is with a simple footrest. It is more comfortable to have your legs slightly off the floor, and is often the best option for people who experience back, leg or hip pain during prolonged periods of sitting.

Adjustable footrests enable your employees to sit in the most comfortable positions for them, which in turn will prevent them from becoming distracted from the pain of a day of poor posture.

Check there is adequate lighting at each workstation

If your staff complain of eye strain from sitting at their monitors, one culprit might be the lighting. If there is glare from bright lights or if it is too dim to see the letters on a keyboard, your employees might find their eyesight is taxed, causing pain and headaches.

Desk lights are often the best solution. The more adjustable they are, the better your staff will be able to find the right light levels for them to work without issue.

Introduce standing conference desks

Meetings are usually conducted sat at desks. However, why should this be the case? If you spend most of your day sitting, it is probably a good idea to take the opportunity to stand wherever possible.

This is why standing conference desks are such a good idea. They enable you to spend your meetings stood up, but you will still be able to take notes, have a cup of coffee and use a laptop without dropping everything.

These ten easy steps are guaranteed to get your office space ergonomic and encourage your staff think more about their health. At Smart2Ergo, we are the ergonomic experts, want us to cast a professional eye over your workspace? We would be more than happy to help. Contact our team today to get your whole office ergonomic!