As the world’s economy keeps on growing and newer technologies are developed, more and more people are getting into white-collar employment. This means that employed or self-employed, more people have to sit for long hours each day trying to make ends meet. Well, it may not be obvious, but this has a significant health effect across populations, especially when aging is being put into perspective. It’s now evident that people who sit for extended hours tend to suffer from back problems, joint aches, and other serious health issues through the years of work. More often than not, most of these cases are a result of using the wrong chairs… chairs that are not ergonomic. The worst thing is that most of these health issues are long-term.
This is why today, ergonomic seating has been a never-ending campaign as far as workplace health and safety are concerned. Better yet, the lack of ergonomic equipment in an office affects its employees’ productivity significantly. It’s a huge necessity that both entrepreneurs and workers can’t afford to look away from.
In this article, we take a look at what all the fuss is about as far as healthy chairs are concerned.
Ergonomic Sitting and How It Can Impact the Workplace
Ergonomic sitting refers to seating in the right posture that minimizes strain and the risk of injury to various parts of your body, especially the back, arms, shoulders, and neck. It involves seated in a position that allows even distribution of your body weight so that no part has to carry the weight or strain that it isn’t supposed to. Sometimes it even involves taking breaks from seating to relieve pressure from various muscles and joints after extended hours of sitting.
This is where ergonomic chairs come in. They are designed to allow you to sit in a comfortable position, ensuring that your weight is evenly distributed throughout the chair rather than exerting pressure and strain on your back and other parts of your body. According to these experts from the Chair Institute, many people around the world suffer from backache and related pains, primarily for extended hours of sitting… and it affects dozens of millions of people across the globe. Often, healthy chairs also allow you to adjust the height based on your preferences so you are comfortable. They are also well-padded to maximize this comfort. In a nutshell, here are some reasons why healthy chairs are all the rage these days.
They Improve Employee Health
One of the most important responsibilities of any employer is to ensure that their employees work in a safe and healthy working environment. Well, this may not be achieved if most of your workers are complaining of pain from sitting at their desks. As earlier hinted, back pain is a common issue in this area. With healthy chairs, you can rest assured that your employees will work in a healthy and comfortable environment, and this is a big win for you since it will ultimately boost their productivity.
Healthy Chairs Enhance Productivity
In addition to improving their comfort and wellness, a healthy chair will make an employee feel more valued and appreciated. This way, they’ll be able to concentrate better on their tasks with fewer distractions, thus making them more productive. Additionally, healthy chairs minimize the risk of pain, which also reduces the chances of missing work. Nothing is more important than feeling appreciated and valued, without pains or aches to complain about. It makes you more productive, whether you’re working for a company or it’s your own business. In addition to promoting comfort, having ergonomic furniture in your office can help:
- Promote employee engagement
- Enhance employee motivation
- Improve your team’s job satisfaction
- Boost morale in employees
- Reduce errors and mistakes
- Demonstrate your firm’s commitment to workplace safety
Lower Business Costs
As an entrepreneur, frequent no-shows from several employees can have a huge toll on your profitability. This is especially the case if you have to pay someone else to do the tasks that the original position holder would have done. It’s even costlier if you don’t get someone to fill the vacant position when the designated worker is away due to a backache or neck pain. Healthy chairs, however, can help reduce employee absenteeism, which can have a beneficial impact on the business’ labor costs while keeping injury compensation costs on the low.
Healthy chairs contribute hugely to the success of any business, no matter how small or big it is. They are also highly beneficial in homes and commercial places. When looking for a healthy, ergonomic chair, something to keep in mind include adjustable seat height, well-padded seat/back/armrest, adequate seat space, and stable build. Wheels, construction material, brand, and cost are also important factors to consider, but all the same, the above are a few reasons why there’s plenty of talk about healthy chairs.
