This document discusses how ergonomics needs to play a greater role in workplace wellness programs. It notes that while many employers offer wellness programs with incentives like gym memberships, obesity rates continue to rise. Only 40% of employees enroll in wellness programs, so these programs are not fully addressing employee needs. The document argues that shifting wellness program costs towards improving ergonomic workspace design could help increase productivity and reduce health risks from sedentary workstyles. Adopting ergonomic workstations can prevent injuries, encourage movement, and ultimately provide a better return on investment for companies through reduced absenteeism and healthcare costs.

1. Brown This section is set up to provide a ready-made Brown Bag
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Ergonomics Needs to Play Greater
Role in Workplace Wellness Programs
By Diane M. Kaufman and employee’s physical and mental well-being while
Wendy McCubbin holding down costs for healthcare premiums and
incentives for underutilized wellness programs.
ccording to a 2008 report published by Unfortunately, the same Pricewaterhouse-
A Reuters, 57% of employers with 500 or
more workers provide some sort of wellness
program, such as smoking cessation, exercise plan-
Coopers’ study found that, of the 71% of
employers offering wellness programs, few said
they were effective at lowering costs. In fact, nearly
half of employers surveyed said they were ready
ning or cancer screening. In addition, 4 out of 5
employers with wellness programs add incentives to push more of the costs of health insurance onto
— with 40% offering gym memberships, 36% their employees.
awarding gifts or prizes, and 27% offering a dis- Just what can be done to engage employees to
counted employee contribution to medical plans. attain greater health and fitness if current wellness
Given these statistics, you would think that we’d initiatives aren’t addressing this need? Perhaps the
have a nation full of lean, mean, healthy workers costs for wellness programs should be shifted to
whose high energy positively contributes to not only where so much of an employee’s time is spent…the
their own health — but also the financial well-being workstations and workspaces where they’re sitting.
of the companies they work for. The truth of the According to a survey from the Microsoft Small
matter is this isn’t the case. In fact, obesity is a sig- Business Center, 9 out of 10 employees say that the
nificant concern and one of our nation’s biggest design set-up of their workstation directly affects
health crises. their ability to be productive at work. From a scien-
Aside from the serious health complications that tific perspective, ergonomically designed work-
being overweight presents for employees — the spaces have been proven to improve productivity
worse we feel, the less we move, and the more likely and comfort; and minimize common stresses, strains
we are to become tired and less productive in the and injuries associated with working at a computer.
workplace. It’s easy to see the adverse impacts on That knowledge, combined with employee percep-
not only individuals, but on businesses as well. tion, may be compelling to companies not finding
If more than half of all large U.S employers the success they are looking for through traditional
offer wellness programs and incentives like gym wellness programs. This creates a new reality in
memberships and weight-loss assistance, why is our which “ergonomic workspace design” is seen as an
nation continuing to fight growing health concerns essential component of an EAP.
like obesity? If increased productivity isn’t compelling enough,
The fact is, although many employers encourage consider some of the other reasons why adopting
health-and-wellness initiatives, the choice to partici- ergonomic workstations makes sense in corporate
pate in them is controlled by the employee. In a wellness programs:
recent PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research
Institute study, less than 40% of those surveyed actu- Alleviating inherent risks to employee
ally enrolled in wellness programs. The question is: health: Dr. Alan Hedge, Professor of the Human
Why aren’t they? Factors Laboratory at Cornell University, warns that
Providing significant Return on Investment (ROI) the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort increases by
for a company and its employees through effective using the computer as little as one hour a day. Even
wellness assistance programs is a constant challenge worse, the risk of musculoskeletal injury is nine
to HR and EA professionals alike. The underlying times greater when you spend four hours a day at the
issue is how to manage and contribute to an computer [than it is for a one hour-per-day user]
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2. Brown
Bagger Ergonomics as a Preventative Measure
Creating an environment that is ergonomically
safe and encourages healthy movement is important.
increasing chances of death (Journal of the
In fact, the American Industrial Hygiene Association
American Heart Association).
(AIHA) proposes that, “Ergonomic principles are
A new study conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs
most effectively applied to workstations and new
shows full-time employees of companies with 1,000
designs on a preventive basis, before injuries or ill-
or more workers spend an average of 21 hours per
nesses occur. Good design with ergonomics provides
week seated at a desk, nearly three hours per week
the greatest economic benefit for industry.”
seated in meetings, and four hours per week seated
A stressed body leaves itself open for attack,
working at home.
leading to computer-related fatigue, pain, stiffness or
This means that 70% of one’s time in a typical
injury, which then may result in lost time, reduced
40-hour workweek is spent sitting! Moving more
focus, depleted morale and other negative effects.
throughout the day with access to adjustable
However, by giving employees access to the
workstations help offset the harmful effects of
right ergonomic equipment, tools, and education,
sedentary workstyles.
companies will empower employees to proactively
Costs of absenteeism to employers: The BLS
manage the stresses associated with their computing
Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses reports
workspace.
that there were 1.1 million cases requiring days away
Research has shown that even the simple act of
from work in private industry out of 3.7 million total
just standing periodically throughout the day can
cases. In addition, the percentage of musculoskeletal
dramatically improve health, comfort, and productiv-
disorder cases out of total cases (29% in 2008) has
ity. One report in fact, suggests that an average
not varied greatly since 2005.
person can burn an extra 60 calories an hour just by
Similarly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2007),
standing. Yet, the fixed workstations that employees
reported that musculoskeletal disorders led to 29%
are commonly provided do not facilitate the ability
of all workplace injuries, of which more than
to stand while working. Moreover, companies are
333,000 cases required an average of nine days away
generally not accustomed or equipped — either
from work. Ipsos research reveals that a quarter
by tools, resources, or knowledge, to properly
(24%) of employees report they have sought holistic
integrate ergonomics or encourage movement in
or professional medical care (such as a doctor, chiro-
the workplace.
practor, physical therapist, etc.) to alleviate discom-
As a result, just how can a company inspire their
fort related to their work environment. Providing
workers to move more? We suggest reallocating the
ergonomic solutions to employees helps companies
money typically used for some underutilized well-
manage workplace discomfort, improve morale, and
ness initiatives — and applying them to the
may reduce absenteeism.
employee workspace instead. After all, “one size
The cost to American business: After review-
does not fit all,” and yet that is exactly how most
ing the 2008 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety
fixed desktop workstation set-ups are designed.
Index, Ergoweb puts the total cost for ergonomics-
For some companies, the asset investment and
related injuries at $30.9 billion, or 63.6%. The Index
upfront costs may be perceived as fiscally unrealis-
captures only the direct worker’s compensation costs
tic. However, Return on Investment (ROI), when
of these disabling injuries.
calculated over the long term can show a dramatic
When indirect costs are considered (which are
and rapid payback. Dee Edington, a highly respected
estimated by experts to be anywhere from two to
wellness program ROI expert at the University of
five times direct costs, Ergoweb puts the true cost to
Michigan, claims that wellness programs can run,
USA businesses at $61.8 to $154.5 billion. Providing
“about $300-$400 per employee if you expect good
ergonomic solutions may help reduce the portion of
savings and a positive ROI.” However, if the
healthcare claims associated with common condi-
employees are not taking advantage of the activities
tions like back and neck pain according to the 2007
included in wellness programs, they can no longer
OE Medicine Journal.
be calculated as a “cost” to the company, but instead
should be counted as a “loss.”
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This is not the case with a properly designed
workspace that utilizes an ergonomically adjustable
Bagger
workstation. Too often, however, companies inter-
ested in creating change in the workspace avoid the two-thirds (67%) of U.S. office workers wish their
investment because of perceivable upfront costs. employers offered them desks that could be adjusted
Who can blame them when adjustable hydraulic so they could work either seated or standing. Over
desks, and “Treadmill desks” average roughly half (about 60%) of employees surveyed were con-
$4,000 per person? Even a good ergonomic chair vinced they would be more productive if they had
could run $700. the option to work on their feet. Employers must ask
However, WorkFit sit-stand workstations by themselves it their wellness program is creating the
Ergotron are less expensive — and still offer the type of returns they desire. If not, where could
choice of desired movement by the employee. improvements be made?
Moreover, there is a psychological as well as a We believe that employers can realize
physical benefit to feeling good at work that can ulti- the greatest economic gain if ergonomic
mately create a “domino effect”: that is, if employees principles are applied on a preventive basis,
are feeling better in their day-to-day work; and if they before injuries or illnesses occurs. Everyone will
regain energy and feel more positive, they will be reap the benefits.
more inclined to pursue other health options, such as Diane M. Kaufman is senior vice president of global human
smoking-cessation programs or gym memberships. resources, and Wendy McCubbin is the marketing manager
of global training for Ergotron Inc. in St. Paul, MN.
In addition, ergonomics is a choice that employ-
ees appear to want. According to the Ipsos research,
Energize Your Office Space!
Q: Like a lot of people, I have an office job in Never roll your head around your neck, as this could
which I sit in front of a computer all day. I know it damage the joints of your neck.
isn’t good for me. My muscles get tight, and my 2) Roll your wrists regularly to help prevent
posture is sometimes poor. What can I do about it? carpal tunnel, especially if you do a lot of typing.
A: First, let’s consider what improvements you 3) If you tend to hunch in front of the keyboard,
can make that don’t involve exercise. First, be sure open your arms wide as if you’re going to hug
your workstation — including your computer someone, rotate your wrists — thumbs going up
monitor, keyboard and chair are designed to work and back, and pull your shoulders back. This is
well for you. This is referred to as ergonomics. moving your body in the opposite direction of
Second, you may wish to occasionally sit on a being hunched.
balance ball while working at your desk. You’ll burn 4) Get up periodically, take a walk, and get some
calories stabilizing your core and body on the ball. fresh air.
Third, your back should be straight, your shoulders 5) While sitting, lift up your legs on the balls of
back, and the top of your monitor level with your your feet, then on to our toes, and set them down.
eyes. If you have to look down or up, you need to 6) Rest your eyes. Optometrists recommend the
adjust the height of your screen. Fourth, maintain an “20-20-20” rule — for every 20 minutes focusing on
ergonomic body posture. Be sure your wrists are your computer screen, spend 20 minutes focusing on
slightly lower than your elbows. This will help something else 20 feet away.
prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Keep your legs The bottom line is to sit perfectly still less and
bent at the knees so the knees are only slightly move more!
higher than your hips.
You feet should be flat on the floor. Next, try Source: Tim Lencki, MS, CSCS, a strength and conditioning
these exercises: specialist, and author of Fitness One Day at a Time and a
new bookette® series for active lifestyles. Visit Tim’s website
1) Stretch your neck; flex your head forward and at www.thefitnesseducator.com.
backward, side-to-side, and look right and left.
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4. Brown
Bagger H A N D O U T
Try These Ergonomic
Positions & Exercises
Taking time to properly plan ergonomics at workstations Alternating between sitting & standing
helps alleviate neck, back, and wrist pain. throughout the day energizes
& promotes good health.
Above and below are some desk exercises that help alleviate body stress.
Take time periodically throughout the day to move.
Source: Ergotron, Inc.
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