Ergonomics Found To Be Critical To Workers’ Mental Health, Too

How to address employees’ holistic needs and support their ability to work from anywhere

Over the course of the last year, remote workers have experienced a wide array of individual challenges brought on by the pandemic. With nearly half of U.S. workers now struggling with mental health issues, employers are increasingly concerned with solving and supporting employees’ most difficult challenges. Even with vaccine rollouts, people continue to languish in the late stages of the pandemic. As companies continue to shift to fully or hybrid work environments, it's important to stay focused on supporting employees' mental, emotional and physical health. From juggling work with home-schooling, to working in makeshift home spaces not meant for 8-hour workdays, the nature of remote work has taken both an emotional and physical toll on employees. 
 

Before the pandemic, 54% of Americans did not have proper remote work setups at home. Without proper ergonomic workstations, remote workers have experienced an increase in musculoskeletal issues, creating a greater risk for comorbidity or co-occurring mental and physical conditions often associated with worse health outcomes and complex treatments. Without addressing these issues proactively and holistically, companies considering the shift to fully remote or hybrid workplaces may expect to see a rise in extended disability leave and a decrease in employee productivity, morale and retention.  

Everyone Has a Unique Set of Circumstances

The pandemic reminds us that everyone faces unique circumstances. Taking the necessary time to understand each person’s situation and challenges, in order to determine how best to support them, is a vital function of managers and leaders alike. For a strained workforce lacking in human contact over the past year, demonstrating empathy and allowing employees to feel heard will influence employee engagement as we continue to redefine how and where we work.

Given the number of challenges workers continue to face, too often people forget to ask for help. Communication channels and interpersonal communication have only become more important over the last year. Erring on the side of over communication ensures employees are aware of the resources available to them and their benefits, not only for their mental health, but also for their physical well-being. 

Helpful Ergonomic Life Hacks

Maintaining a neutral posture is one of the first and most important rules of ergonomics. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans working remotely are likely working from dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and other areas with limited lighting and adequate space. Thankfully, there are a number of simple accommodations that can make working from home more comfortable and productive. A pillow can raise a chair to improve a worker’s angle of the interface. Stacking books or using plastic storage containers can raise a computer or laptop monitor to improve line of sight. Employees should also be encouraged to take breaks, get up and stretch or move dynamically from a sitting or standing position and to look away from their monitors and screens every 20-30 minutes. These tips and video tutorials can be easily referenced through a quick Google search or through an employer-sponsored employee assistance plan (EAP). 

Reduce Distractions, Improve Productivity

Many distractions can often be observed in households all across the country as people adapt to working from home. From homeschooling to the neighbor’s lawn mower, work-from-home environments offer a diverse set of distractions that can break a person’s concentration. The discomforts of non-ergonomic practices can make these distractions even harder to tune out and work through. It’s important to discuss potential work distractions with employees, as there are a number of ways to help them adapt or focus. For example, creating makeshift privacy walls, using noise canceling headphones, and using special filtered eyeglasses to help with lighting issues and computer screens for employees who are prone to tension headaches. 

Bring in an Expert in Ergonomics and Behavioral Health

Today’s modern workplace challenges require employers to take a proactive step forward in identifying their employees’ ergonomic and behavioral health needs. However, employers don’t have to do this alone. Leveraging a dedicated disability consultant can provide much needed support for employees in the areas of behavioral health and ergonomics. Programs like The Standard’s Workplace Possibilities℠ program offer a number of helpful experts and resources, including virtual sessions with remote employees to evaluate their work spaces and brainstorm solutions to improve ergonomics, reduce distractions and increase productivity. 

The pandemic has made it clear that physical and mental health cannot be treated separately. What affects one, affects the other, much like our personal and professional lives. As mental health continues to come into sharper focus, employers can help make a lasting impact on employees’ overall wellbeing by addressing their individual needs holistically and supporting their ability to work from anywhere. 

Todd Meier is the Disability and Productivity Consultant at The Standard. Visit www.standard.com Connect Todd Meier