Companies dedicated to fulfilling the UN Global Sustainability Goal of “Good Health and Wellbeing” (Goal 3) frequently prioritize their employees’ ergonomic health.
Ergonomic health centres on establishing work environments that foster comfort, safety, and efficiency, ultimately contributing to employees’ overall well-being.
Integrating stretch breaks into daily office routines can help achieve Good Health and well-being. Health and productivity concerns have gained prominence in the contemporary digital age, where a substantial portion of the workforce dedicates extended periods to computer and mobile device usage.
Breaks and exercise software tools have emerged as potential remedies to address these concerns.
This article delves into the efficacy of such software and accentuates its advantages to users and employers.
1. Reducing Pain and Discomfort:
Sitting for prolonged periods while using computers or phones can lead to discomfort and pain.
Breaks and exercise software tools have been designed to alleviate these issues by prompting users to take regular breaks and perform simple exercises.
Numerous studies have shown a remarkable reduction in pain complaints after the implementation of these tools.
For instance, a study conducted at Eli Lilly’s Clinton Laboratories found that the introduction of Wellnomics WorkPace led to a significant decrease in discomfort levels among computer users.
The number of users experiencing discomfort in various categories decreased notably, indicating a positive impact on pain management.
2. Decreasing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) and Injuries:
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are prevalent concerns among computer users.
The correlation between reduced pain complaints and decreased incidence of WMSD is a key factor driving the adoption of breaks and exercise software tools.
While the exact cause-and-effect relationship is complex, studies have demonstrated that the implementation of these tools contributes to a reduction in the prevalence of WMSD.
Research conducted by the Dutch TNO Research Institute observed that subjects using Wellnomics WorkPace reported more recovery from their complaints and fewer instances of deterioration compared to a control group.
While it’s challenging to provide an exact average cost across all companies, studies and estimates suggest that the annual costs related to WMSDs can be substantial.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, musculoskeletal disorders accounted for about 55% of all non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work.
The total annual costs for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the United States have been estimated to range from billions to tens of billions of dollars.
3. Enhancing Productivity:
Counterintuitive as it may seem, incorporating breaks and exercises into the work routine can actually boost productivity. Traditionally, breaks were seen as interruptions to workflow, but recent research challenges this perception.
A study carried out at Boeing over a six-month period indicated that the use of Wellnomics WorkPace led to a significant reduction in pain incidence and discomfort levels among participants.
This reduction was accompanied by increased productivity. Moreover, these tools have been shown to improve user focus and reduce mental fatigue, which can ultimately lead to improved task performance.
4. Receptiveness and Adoption:
One of the challenges in implementing breaks and exercise software tools is user receptiveness. However, studies have indicated that users generally respond positively to such interventions.
Pilots conducted across various organizations and countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand, have consistently demonstrated that a majority of participants experienced improved pain and discomfort levels after using Wellnomics WorkPace.
This widespread improvement suggests that users are open to integrating these tools into their daily routines.
5. Management and Reporting of WMSD’s
Another challenge is to understand the effects on the organisation of WMSD’s. A Wellnomics Online Self-Assessment on human factors and ergonomics is the starting point to create a baseline to understand current risks of WMSD’s in the organization.
On the strength of the data collected from the assessments, Wellnomics provides an ongoing digital Ergonomic Risk Assessment Management program.
The Management reports allow you to view the results of all ergonomic workplace assessments within your team or organization.
You can see the top human factors and ergonomic risk factors, a list of the top ergonomic setup recommendations for your organization and your employees requiring further help from an ergonomic consultant.
By conducting annual Online Self Assessments and using the Wellnomics software, companies can compare improvements against a baseline. Then they can report these improvements in their annual ESG Sustainability Reports, as proof of an effort to improve the Good Health and Wellbeing to employees.
Conclusion:
Breaks and exercise software tools have emerged as effective solutions for addressing the health and productivity challenges associated with prolonged computer and phone use.
Studies have consistently demonstrated their potential to reduce pain, alleviate discomfort, and even enhance productivity.
From the reduction in Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) to the improvement in user focus and task performance, the benefits are substantial.
As more organizations recognize the positive impact of these tools, their adoption is likely to continue growing, contributing to a healthier and more productive workforce in the digital era.