Workplace health and wellbeing have become priority topics within the spectrum of employment over the last decade and since the pandemic this topic has gained momentum significantly. The current momentum is primarily attributed to the mental and physical challenges that employees had to manage when they had to endure working from home alone for months.
The pandemic is seen to have actively prompted more thought on not just productivity, but also the wellbeing of a workforce based on the simple fact that a healthy workforce equates to a productive workforce.
Office trends have been continuously evolving within the last century following various styles, fashion and concept; however one element of the office trend that has been constant is the focus on the impact of the office environment on the health and wellbeing of the office employee.
Office employees generally spend a minimum of 35 hours in a week working in an office, this is the minimum number of hours with the max hours hitting close to 60 hours a week which makes it evident that the workplace will naturally have an impact on the health of the employees in one way or another.
The design and elements that are fused into a workplace can never be overlooked due to the real and actual impact that they have on the wellbeing of employees and among the most significant element have been acknowledge to be ergonomics, aesthetics, lighting and conveniences.
This article will examine the benefits of both ergonomic office furniture such as ergonomic office desks and office chairs and tools such as keyboards and pointing devices (mouse).
Table of Contents
Adjustable Office Desks
Ergonomic office desks are generally adjustable (height wise and some are even tilt-able for drawing purposes and these features prevent users from straining their backs and ultimately prevent various back problems and also increase performance due to the enhanced level of concentration that they are able to gain by adjusting these desks.
Desks that are height-adjustable basically mean they may be raised or lowered and because of this, employees may sit or stand according to their preference when performing their respective tasks.
Ergonomic Office Chairs
The ergonomic office chair is the epitome of office ergonomics as it is a crucial element towards maintaining the physical health of office employees.
In essence ergonomic office chairs support good posture which is critical to prevent office employees from developing musculoskeletal disorders in the long run.
Most ergonomic office chairs come with various adjustable components that provide support to the physical structure of users that are important towards advocating healthy postures.
Ergonomic Keyboards & Pointers
Ergonomic keyboards and pointing devices ensure that both the hands and as well as the forearms of the user is maintained in natural positions whilst they are typing.
This is particularly important for those who spend hours using a computer each day.
The essences of these ergonomic devices is to maintain healthy posture which is crucial towards prevention of discomfort to the fingers and wrists whilst alleviating tension build of in the forearm and shoulder regions.
