People who have been in the workforce for a few decades have some idea of what it’s like sitting in a rock-hard, standardized chair for eight hours a day. While it makes ordering office furniture simpler, old-fashioned standard issue office furniture is hard on backs and knees. Today businesses have an enormous range of ergonomically designed furniture to choose from. These designs can actually increase productivity in three ways.
1. Ergonomic furniture reduces repetitive strain injuries. Spend a day in an ergonomic chair and you’ll never want to go back to a chair designed for uniformity. Proper back support encourages better posture and proper arm position, and this cuts down on repetitive strain injuries in the office. Such injuries cost businesses in the US around $600 million per year in lost work hours, according to 2008 research by Microsoft.
2. Comfort decreases stress. But repetitive strain injuries aren’t the only problem with poorly designed furniture. Mental stress is also related to uncomfortable work environments. Think about it: would you rather receive an irate phone call from a client sitting in a chair that’s too high and doesn’t provide back support, or sitting in a properly designed chair that fits your body?
3. Well-designed offices reduce eye strain. Sitting in front of a computer all day can be hard on the eyes. Throw in neck strain from poorly-positioned monitors, and the problem is compounded. According to research by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, poorly positioned monitors can result in eye irritation, blurred vision, and headaches – all of which lower productivity.
Setting up a comfortable office may seem counterintuitive to people who started out in offices full of clattering keyboards and uniform office furniture. But comfort doesn’t necessarily lead to workplace laziness. Employees with well-designed furniture and lighting are happier, healthier, and more productive.
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