FMJ.CO.UK HEALTH & SAFETY FOCUS
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 33
made the controversial announcement
to do away with its global oŽ ices, while
retailer Ralph Lauren announced it was
cutting corporate oŽ ice space by 30 per
cent, making it one of many companies to
downsize their physical space over the past
two years.
There are now critical factors for
employers to consider when revising their
return-to-work strategies to accommodate
the now-normal hybrid embodiment of
work environments. This includes the need
to embrace flexible technology which best
facilitates collaboration between teams. It
is a priority that they address the design of
working spaces, by creating workspaces that
reduce stress and facilitate collaboration, for
an improved employee working ‘experience’.
The findings of the Ergotron survey
(conducted by independent research
agency, Research Matters, of employees
who work entirely or partly from home
since the pandemic) reveals employees’
needs and preferences around workstyles
and conditions. Factors such as the option
to stand or sit while working, noise, room
lighting, and temperature may all have an
impact on productivity. Employers need to
listen to how their workers want to work
and be aware of what constitutes ergonomic
furniture and flexible technology for
employees.
With open plan oŽ ices linked to more
stress, lower morale and productivity, new
concepts for oŽ ice layouts are required,
along with provision of in-oŽ ice and athome
equipment, to promote productivity
and give employees choice.
THE NEED TO OPTIMISE
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Just as it’s crucial for employees to
be provided with the right
applications and technology
solutions to do their jobs,
it is vital to provide
suitable equipment
for them to carry
out their roles. The
Ergotron survey
reveals that o— en
furniture, tools
or technology
employers think
is important
diŽ ers from
the view of the
employee. The survey
found that 84 per cent of
UK employees consider an
ergonomic chair highly important
for their roles, yet only 22 per cent of the
employees polled have been provided with
such a chair.
Personalised technology and easy
customisation are vital for flexible working.
In desk-based roles, this needs to factor in
positioning chairs and desks at the optimum
height for each employee. Customisable
equipment which moves easily is a key
consideration; for instance ergonomic
seating, large screens, flexible monitor
arms, adaptable workstations, and
mobile desks.
Workspace tools should benefit
productivity, while also supporting
employee comfort and health. Health
problems that arise because of
poorly appointed equipment,
such as back problems,
should be the responsibility
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of the employer. Sitting for
long stretches may cause
healthcare problems and
the UK’s next generation of
workers have strong views on
moving while at work. In fact,
71 per cent of workers surveyed
aged 18-24 consider it important
to be able to switch between sitting
and standing while working.
The answer to successful flexible
working lies in personalised technology,
which should be easy to move and
customise. A height-adjustable work surface
JiYe emplo\eeV choiceƍ