Have you invested in good ergonomics in your workplace? If not, it’s time you did. Why? Based on a study published by ResearchGate, ergonomics adds value to your business and makes employees more interested in their jobs. When employees are engaged, they stay productive, thus helping your company achieve the set goals. Business leaders also believe that prioritizing ergonomics in the workplace is one of the best ways for putting your company top on innovation. After all, ergonomics helps create workspaces that inspire teams. You can describe ergonomics as the overall design of the office, from the seating arrangement, choice of furniture, use of colors, and artwork. Good ergonomics ensure that your facility’s design, functionality, and accessibility fit the needs of workers to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. In this article, you’ll learn how ergonomics can boost creativity and Innovation when harnessed correctly. 

Ergonomics Improves Employee Health

Is there a connection between ergonomics and employees’ well being? Ergonomics is all about designing and arranging the workplace to suit the workers’ needs so they can work efficiently. For instance, when you adjust lighting, you can reduce eyestrain. Likewise, providing comfortable chairs that are easy to adjust to a comfortable height employees will complain less about musculoskeletal injuries. An ergonomic office chair and desk can help combat the effects of sitting down for extended periods, such as fatigue and Anxiety which prevents one’s thinking ability. Overall, ergonomics helps improve the physical and Mental Health of workers. By ensuring employees work in spaces that offer comfort, you’ll notice increased creativity. That’s because when employees feel healthy, their mood and focus improve. They start to think out of the box to come up with new ideas and try different approaches to achieve business goals.  

Increases Autonomy 

Imagine a workplace with furniture you can reconfigure or flexible seating options like bean bags, couches, or standing desks? Working in such an environment makes teams feel comfortable and enjoy the benefits of autonomy. More autonomy means employees have unlimited freedom over how they perform tasks. With adjustable chairs, desks, monitors, keyboards, and mice, available workers can choose the best posture to work on their task. Alternative rooms with flexible furniture allow workers to change their work environment whenever they need to take a break from the conventional office setup. Spending a few minutes in a breakout room with sofas, standing desks or bean bags can stimulate employees’ senses, spark curiosity, inspire their imagination, and encourage spontaneous discussions with colleagues, leading to innovative thinking.

When incorporated into home office designs, ergonomics also inspires creativity and productivity for those working remotely. There are plenty of ideas to design the perfect home office, complete with ergonomics found on business premises. For instance, one can fit a comfortable office chair and desk for their computer, and a sofa or bean bag at the corner, where they can relax when taking regular breaks throughout the day. 

Higher Engagement And Enhanced Communication 

What’s the role of ergonomics in employee engagement and communication? Above all, how does engagement and improved communication support creativity and innovation? When business leaders invest in the right office furniture and interior décor, it shows you care and value your staff. As a sign of appreciation, employees stay loyal and commit their efforts to achieve the company’s goals. Picture this-when employees have access to comfortable desks and chairs and reliable Technology, they will obviously enjoy working with minimal strain. Reduced strain and mental Stress translate to higher concentration and wise decision-making. Typically, an engaged team will be ready to embrace challenges and pursue innovation to reach set goals. On improved communication; the way you arrange your workspace affects interactions, accessibility, and visibility. Workspaces that allow team members to interact and access resources encourage teams to share opinions, feedback, and information, which facilitates creativity and innovation. 

Ergonomics could be the solution you’re seeking to promote creativity and innovation at the workplace, whether you’re in Retail, construction, or the law industry. An ergonomically designed office supports health and safety to ensure workers perform their roles with minimum physical strain and mental stress. Ideally, incorporating comfortable desks and chairs allows employees to maintain the right body posture while working. As a result, they feel less fatigued, stay focused at work, and their creative juices flow effortlessly. Ergonomics also improves flexibility, autonomy, higher engagement and efficient communication. All these aspects are crucial in ensuring workers think creatively and embrace innovative ideas. 

Article submitted by Nina Craft.

Originally Published on https://www.breakfastleadership.com/

Michael Levitt Chief Burnout Officer

Michael D. Levitt is the founder & Chief Burnout Officer of The Breakfast Leadership Network, a San Diego and Toronto-based burnout consulting firm. He is a Keynote speaker on The Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting and Burnout. He is the host of the Breakfast Leadership show, a Certified NLP and CBT Therapist, a Fortune 500 consultant, and author of his latest book BURNOUT PROOF.