While it may be an afterthought to many and a word some have heard but few can define, ergonomics is highly relevant to anyone who works. As a scientific discipline that literally translates as “work science,” ergonomics examines how we interact with different environments. In modern business offices, ergonomic equipment is used to improve satisfaction, performance, comfort, health and safety. Ergonomics have been a central fabric of the businesses that I run: I co-founded and oversee an ergonomic office furniture company, we employ ergonomics experts, and everyone at every level in our office enjoys ergonomic furniture. And through our own experience and the experience of countless companies we have worked with in virtually every industry, I can affirm that by embracing an ergonomic philosophy at work, your staff will be better positioned for success.
Though ergonomics is sometimes described as the study of how equipment and furniture are arranged to enhance comfort and efficiency, the discipline isn’t strictly limited to furniture. From an all-encompassing perspective, ergonomics is about regular movement, effective software solutions, regular work breaks and good posture. And the study of ergonomics assesses positive implications when these attributes are addressed. Ergonomics is also about controlling your environment with reference to temperature, lighting, noise and humidity. Ultimately, ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their working environment and using the information obtained to improve efficiency and optimize well-being.