Office work is rapidly changing as new developments in computer technology come along which can make our jobs easier, but which also can present new problems for both management and employees. We have all heard about how sitting for long periods of time on a regular basis is not good for you, and the sedentary lifestyles of many of today’s workers are posing serious health challenges and costs to people and businesses across the country.
Working in an office typically involves spending a great deal of time sitting in an office chair which is a position that adds stress to the structures in the spine. Back pain is one of the most common work-related injuries and the cause of many employee sick days. If office workers are distracted by poor design in their seating options, then they’re not getting what they need from their office furniture and could be developing or compounding back problems.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, office furniture manufacturers, such as Dams, are meeting these challenges head on with a proactive approach. With time at your desk working on computers, meetings, and those pull-up-a-chair collaborations, office seating needs to be as flexible and comfortable as possible. It's important to have an office chair that's ergonomic, supports the lower back and promotes good posture.
The science of office ergonomicsThe Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OHSA) defines ergonomics as ‘the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.’ While ergonomic improvements to the working environment are primarily used to create a safer and healthier office, a business that recognises the importance of office ergonomics can experience other benefits such as increased motivation and productivity, and a reduction in absenteeism and staff turnover.
For any office worker that spends a significant part of their day at their desk, comfort is essential. And from an office furniture perspective, the largest individual factor here is the office chair. Below we will discuss chair ergonomics, why seating is so important, and other factors that should be considered when selecting chairs for the office or workplace.
Why workplace seating is importantThe most important thing to remember when selecting an office chair is that people come in all shapes and sizes, so there is no ‘one size fits all’ office chair that will suit everybody. An employee who is cramped, or who is in pain due to a poorly designed chair is not an employee who will enjoy their work and perform to the best of their abilities. A good office chair will allow the user to adjust the chair to fit their body, their desk, and their activities.
The most productive employees are those who feel at home in the workplace. These employees are free to focus on the tasks at hand, rather than some small part of their mind remaining occupied on basic comfort considerations. If people don’t move around a lot throughout the course of the working day, they will require an office chair which is well matched to their body.
An ill-fitting chair will quickly cause pain. Employees should be able to adjust the seat so when their feet are firmly on the floor their legs are bent to 90 degrees, which assists the pressure applied to the lower back. The user’s arms should also be bent to 90 degrees whilst their hands are flat on the desk, assisting the upper back and shoulders which will prevent slouching and bad posture.
Comfort, posture and versatilityAdjustability and versatility are vital in modern office chairs. Many chairs now also allow for side-to-side movement, which helps users from twisting into unnatural positions to grab something that is just out of reach. But what Dams have done with their new office chair offerings is combine all these features with proper support and comfort considerations, whilst at the same time creating task and operator chairs that are durable enough to last for years.
At Dams, we understand that people are an essential part of every business process and critical to delivering quality products and services. Employees don’t just perform just one task in an average working day, so why should their office chairs? The new Jovi and Reed chairs from Dams offer users the movement and positioning capabilities that enable them to sit comfortably, combining the right ergonomic design with exceptional customised support.
Jovi is a next generation office chair with a free floating back that provides the exact amount of back support customised for each individual user and with no manual controls to adjust. The Jovi operators chair has a sleek design, multiple features and allows the user to enjoy the modern design without compromising on good ergonomic support.
The visually stunning Reed chair provides new levels of comfort and support that suits the ergonomic needs of each individual user. The foundation of the Reed chair is the stylish frame available in black or white with matching lumbar lines and a free-floating mesh back with an effortless recline which makes it a smart choice for any corporate environment.
The right office chairChoosing an office chair isn’t just about finding something that’s going to be comfortable when you sit on it. It’s about your body posture, your blood circulation and most importantly keeping you and your body healthy. Desk jobs can make it difficult to find the right balance at work, so having a chair that appropriately supports you when you are sitting can make a huge difference and is paramount to productivity and overall satisfaction in the workplace.
Well-designed office layouts do more for a business than visual beauty alone, and the variety of chairs and their functions go a long way toward fulfilling all the needs of the workforce. By providing functional, comfortable, and visually pleasing options for employees to use throughout the working day, you’re enabling them to enjoy the space while doing the best job they can for the business. And in that way, everybody wins.
