FOCUS HEALTH & SAFETY
lets employees vary their working posture
throughout the day and discourages sitting
continuously for eight hours. Ergotron’s
research shows that 64 per cent of
employees consider a height-adjustable
work surface to be hugely important. This
includes ensuring every station has an
easy-to-adjust display; shared workspaces
should have a monitor arm that’s easy
to adjust and position by hand.
It is an additional advantage
if the monitor arm can
support multiple
screens. The research
showed that
employees across
all the age ranges
favoured this,
with 62 per cent
of those surveyed
aged 25-34 and
73 per cent of over
55s considering it
important to work
with two monitors. A
dual monitor also allows
employees to quickly transform
their desks into collaboration
stations, so they can share screens with
colleagues for integrated work.
Shared workspaces require additional
considerations. Most employees (84 per
cent) find it very important to be able
to hold meetings when part of the team
is in the oŽ ice and the rest are working
remotely. Work tools must be easy to
unplug and move, so employees can
3olicy and practice are eTually
important Leaders should formalise
working arrangements through HR
policies which reƜ ect ergonomic working
and physical activity while at work, and
tools and technologies that meet the
34 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022
performance, wellbeing, and satisfaction.
An employer that is not regularly checking
on staŽ cannot be sure employees are
comfortable in their work. The survey
showed that 63 per cent of employees do
not have a manager who regularly checks on
how they are doing, which is another area for
improvement.
THE WORKING WAY FORWARD
If employers are intent on their staŽ
maintaining an oŽ ice presence, the goal
must be to create an environment where
employees want to work, by creating spaces
and collaboration opportunities that are
more satisfying and productive than being
100 per cent remote. And if the choice is
home-based, it is equally as important that
this is within a flexible workspace which
promotes health and bolsters morale. Hybrid
workspaces shouldn’t come at the expense
of employee ergonomics.
The importance of an ergonomic
workspace in the oŽ ice and at home cannot
be understated. It equates to making an
investment in people, which is one of the
key rules for a successful business. This
first means developing a work strategy that
supports employee health and is based on
real and specific employee needs; then,
it’s listening and working closely with your
employees to create dedicated spaces.
This way forward will encourage healthy
movement, productivity, and a collaborative
spirit, which will be more productive for
individual workers and the bottom line.
find a suitable space for each activity or
need throughout the day. The survey also
shows that 75 per cent of employees find
it important to be able to easily switch
between workspaces, which means that
portable devices are vital.
ENSURING EMPLOYEE COMFORT
AT WORK
The transition to flexible, shared
workspaces is an opportunity
for organisations to invest in
ergonomic furniture that
encourages movement
and supports employee
health. In many
countries, employers are
legally responsible for
ensuring this. Companies
can let employees choose
from a range of ergonomic
furniture for the home or
provide a budget to purchase
their own. Ergotron’s research
shows this provision is getting
started in the UK, with about 19 per
needs of evolving workstylesƌ
cent of employees surveyed receiving such
allowances from their employers.
Policy and practice are equally important.
Leaders should formalise working
arrangements through HR policies which
reflect ergonomic working and physical
activity while at work, and tools and
technologies that meet the needs of evolving
workstyles. Employee wellbeing checks
are vital as part of embracing employee