Benefits of Ergonomic Seating
The benefits of ergonomic seating are truly compelling. Is your company aiming to transform your workplace into a more productive and comfortable environment where employees can truly thrive? Perhaps you’ve considered investing in ergonomic office chairs or lab stools but questioned whether it’s worth it? We’re here to assure you that it absolutely is. The right seating choices can introduce a multitude of benefits to your workplace and workforce.
Investing in ergonomic chairs or stools is not just a savvy business decision; it’s an investment in your employees’ well-being. By providing ergonomic office chairs or lab stools, businesses can unlock an array of surprising benefits that boost productivity, prevent injuries, reduce sick days, and enhance employee happiness and health. Let’s dive into the incredible benefits of equipping your team with new office chairs or lab stools.
Benefits of Ergonomics Seating= Increased Workplace Productivity:
Did you know that 15.3% of office workers endure back pain because of their chairs?
And that’s not even counting the 35% who experience issues with their neck, arms, and wrists! It’s clear: an uncomfortable chair can seriously hinder productivity. But here’s the good news—studies show significant productivity boosts when employees are equipped with chairs that are not only comfortable but also ergonomic. With the right seating, employees can dive into their tasks with laser focus, free from the nagging pain and discomfort of outdated office chairs.
According to an article in Entrepreneur, research has found that simply providing workers with the right chair or stool could increase employee productivity by up to 17.5%.
Many other studies have shown the benefits of ergonomic seating are they positively impacts employee wellbeing and intention to stay with the company. An example study installed new chairs in two offices, surveying 20 employees in each before and after installation.
- 90% reported feeling more comfortable and only 5% experienced discomfort or pain.
- 85% experienced an improvement in overall mood
- 75% had an increased intention to stay long-term. Results align with research on the relationship between physical comfort and employee productivity and job satisfaction.
Not only do ergonomically designed task chairs reduce aches and pains, but also provide a better posture while working and can help alleviate issues like carpal tunnel syndrome which can cause significant long-term damage if left untreated. The ergonomic design also encourages better blood flow which can lead to improved concentration and better decision-making abilities which further contribute to overall productivity. With all the tangible benefits offered by an ergonomic task chair program, it’s easy to see why so many businesses are investing in this solution for their workforce.
Ergonomic Seating = Fewer Sick Days
Sitting in an uncomfortable chair is like carrying a ticking time bomb – you never know when it’ll strike. Many of us spend long hours glued to our office chairs, working on endless spreadsheets, drafting presentations, doing lab experiments and/or attending endless meetings. But did you know that a non-supportive, ill-fitting chair or stool could be silently killing your employees productivity and increasing overall sick days
Think of an uncomfortable chair as a slow poison – you might not notice it right away, but the damage accumulates over time.
If you’re hunched over a chair that’s too low or too high for you, your posture suffers and it even affects your hand health. Over time, this could lead to a myriad of problems, ranging from lower back pain, shoulder and neck stiffness, headaches, to more serious issues like spinal disk herniation. Giving your employees comfortable chairs and/or stools to sit in all day long that fit there body will lead to fewer sick days.
Interesting Facts About the Benefits of Ergonomic Seating:
- In the Netherlands, 8% of the employed population reported lost days from work in the past year because of complaints at the neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist or hand (Blatter et al. 2001).
- The results of a British national survey in 1995 showed that musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity were responsible for the loss of 4.2 million working days in a 12-month period (Jones et al. 1998).
- Borghouts et al. (1999) estimated the total number of sick days due to neck pain in 1996 in the Netherlands to be 1.4 million, with a total cost of US$ 185.4 million
- 7.5% of sick days were reported as ergonomic discomfort- many never use this reason.
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Benefits of Ergonomic Seating with Productivity:
Economists have done a number of different studies showing that happy employees are up to 12% more productive and use their time more efficiently. Furthermore, it is difficult to feel happy if you working in pain, and/or sitting in an uncomfortable chair that isn’t designed to support your body and your overall well-being.
A non-supportive chair or stool can create cranky unhappy employees because they are in discomfort and/or not comfortable. Being uncomfortable alone leads to a decreased mood, cognitive impairment and lack of concentration caused by being in a chair that causes physical pain or discomfort. These distractions are at the root of issues like fatigue, poor decision making, lack of focus, and a low threshold for frustration. Together, these could lead to depression, anxiety and more missed work days.
New Ergonomic Chairs = Improved Retention:
With the changing times, employers have become increasingly aware of the significance of employee retention in their business growth. To ensure that they hold on to their best talent, they must offer them a work environment that keeps them happy and healthy. One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve employee retention is to upgrade the chairs in the office or upgrade the stools in a lab. It may seem like a small detail, but the benefits of ergonomic seating that is comfortable for your employees can go a long way in creating a healthy, productive work environment.
According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, 47% of respondents cited discomfort due to chairs as a cause of low morale in the workplace.
When your employees are comfortable and happy, they are more likely to stay in your company, reducing the high turnover rate and saving you the time, resources, and cost of recruitment. Additionally, offering them ergonomic chairs indicates that you value their wellbeing and are willing to invest in their physical health, boosting their job satisfaction. In addition, new ergonomic chairs will not only increase employee retention, but also increase productivity and morale, contributing to a more thriving work culture.
Moreover, employees who are comfortable and satisfied in their workspace are less likely to seek employment elsewhere, leading to reduced employee turnover and lower recruitment and training costs. In conclusion, if you’re looking to improve your business growth and employee retention, invest in high-quality ergonomic chairs for your staff. With comfortable seating, healthy working habits, and happier employees, you will soon reap the rewards of a loyal and thriving team.
Decreased Injuries and Costly Workers Comp Claims:
Having a quality strategic ergonomic chair that is appropriate for the tasks at hand helps to prevent ergonomic injuries that can lead to Workers Comp claims. Many people don’t realize how much their chair affects the comfort of their entire body, including their wrist, hip, legs, back, neck and hands. With the correct ergonomic chair, employees can avoid long-term discomfort and even serious ergonomic injuries.
- A study by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that participants who used ergonomic chairs reported a 62% reduction in musculoskeletal symptoms, including back, shoulder, and neck pain.
- Furthermore, a study conducted by Herman Miller found that 60% of employees who used ergonomic chairs reported an improvement in job satisfaction.
- It has been proven and common sense that healthy people are capable of performing and working better. (Marras & Karwowski from the Occupational Ergonomics Handbook)
Increased Morale:
Ergonomic chairs that fit each person’s body are not only a necessity in keeping employees healthy, they also provide an uplifting morale boost. When employers invest in ensuring their employees can comfortably sit and perform their work, it sends a clear message that the company values their employees’ health and well-being. Employees feel valued and appreciated when they receive the correct tools to help them be comfortable while doing their jobs. This feeling of being taken care of can lead to improved morale, which has a direct impact on productivity and employee engagement.
Studies indicate that overall job satisfaction is directly affected by an organization’s concern about their employees.
(Brief & Weiss, 2002), (Stahl, 2001)
Saved Long Term Costs:
Investing in new chairs or stools typically helps save companies money in the long run. By investing in the right ergonomic chairs from the start, employers can prevent claims or injuries due to improper seating, avoid chair purchases multiple times, and provide employees with chairs that are comfortable and support productivity. Investing in a the right ergonomic seating will result in lower replacement costs, fewer sick days, and improved morale.
Benefits of Ergonomic Seating Include Saved Costs:
- Prevent injuries and costly Workers Comp Claims
- Reduce sick days related to body discomfort from working.
- Increase productivity with employees who are comfortable
- Increase morale showing your employees the company cares
- It will save money in reducing turnover rates.
- Add an ergonomic program with your new chairs- which helps all of the above.
Benefits of Ergonomic Seating in Summary:
Investing in quality ergonomic seating is crucial for any business looking to maximize employee performance. A high-quality adjustable ergonomic chair or stool helps prevent physical strain and fatigue by providing better support for the lower back, arms, and shoulders. It also promotes better posture, eliminating the need to slouch or hunch over for extended periods. Improved ergonomics lead to reduced muscle tension and fewer headaches associated with improper seating. Additionally, an ergonomic task chair program encourages employees to move throughout their workday, counteracting the negative effects of prolonged sitting on overall health and productivity. This movement helps alleviate fatigue and boosts energy levels, enabling more focused and effective work. Over time, investing in a comprehensive ergonomic task chair program will pay off by fostering healthier habits and increasing productivity, ultimately leading to fewer sick days.
Should you invest in a new chair or stool for your employees? Absolutely! You can’t afford not to.
Call Pacific Ergonomics if you want to create an ergonomic chair or lab stool program for your company or enhance an existing one. We provide ergonomic consulting to ensure the correct solutions and we ship high quality office chairs all over the U.S.. Our office and laboratory furniture showroom in located in the Historic District of Escondido California. 619-546-0872
