Why ergonimics
With a rising awareness of workplace well-being, the importance of employee retention and the wider recognition of behavioural and proactive safety models, companies are increasingly taking a proactive stance to recognising that a fit, healthy workforce that feel empowered to influence their company’s policies and environments is becoming essential.
An Individual Approach
When designing a bespoke solution, the physical environment is often tackled as a priority. We have found, however, that the more subtle and effective approach is to work with the individuals to empower them to understand the rationale of good health and facilitate their own pattern of working well, thereby working towards an increase in the entire company’s health, well-being and productivity.
Many employees are disillusioned with “top down” initiatives, which can also contribute to low job satisfaction and poor motivation. Working with individuals to create solutions breeds increased ownership, productivity, motivation while also develops employee commitment to the solutions when implemented.
Simple Solutions
Simple solutions may include alternative types of mouse, keyboard, headset and chair for some individuals. However supplying equipment alone is often ineffective and training advice is essential in empowering each individual to understand why and how to improve their working posture and pattern of working.
Proactive environmental audits may also be conducted of entire buildings to assess the temperature, humidity, lighting and noise levels and to compare the actual readings with subjective reports from the users. The reports from employees are a more accurate picture of the nature of the problem.
Staff Engagement
Ergonomics quite simply aims to make people healthier, happier and more productive at work by designing environments to support individuals. Ergonomic solutions bring increased staff engagement leading to improved company performance.