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What is ergonomic working?

It is sometimes difficult to determine where the absenteeism within a company comes from. Sickness absence can have various causes, physical complaints or mental complaints. The environment in which employees work partly determines how they feel and perform. That is why it is important to listen to employees and to create a safe and healthy working environment.
What is ergonomic working?
The meaning of ergonomic working
Ergonomic working is concerned with ergonomics. The term ergonomics often comes up in the working environment and especially with working behind a screen. After all, employees spend hours looking at a screen, taking breaks and often forgetting to walk away from a screen.

Ergonomics, a correct working posture and mental and physical recovery moments are an important part of their functioning for many professional groups. For example, think of healthcare, construction and the catering industry. The combination of ergonomics and work is therefore very important. But how exactly do you deploy it?
Occupational health and safety rules, the law and absenteeism
High absenteeism leads to increasing costs. So if there are complaints among employees, listen to these problems. And don't even try to let it get to that point and act preemptively on it. Prevention is still better than cure. It is therefore good to look at how you can integrate ergonomic working into your office environment.

According to the Working Conditions Act, 'employees must be able to work safely and healthily'. This contains requirements that a workplace must meet, for example that as many hazards as possible to the health of employees must be tackled at the source. The use of ergonomic aids helps with this. The health and safety of your employee is also central to ergonomic work. You can therefore ensure that your employee works 'nice and comfortable' in short. It is best to prevent the complaints and to act preventively. Proactive versus reactive. Keep in mind that every employee is an individual and flexible working is becoming increasingly important, which makes it all the more important for his work materials (desk, screen and chair). If these can be set correctly, the smaller the chance of possible complaints.

As stated before, prevention is perhaps even more important than combating the complaints that have arisen. Responding in advance prevents you from having to come up with solutions afterwards. But before we delve deeper into prevention and the right attitude to work, it is good to be aware of possible complaints from employees. How can you recognize these and what exactly are the causes?
Causes and complaints
Incorrect working posture, such as an incorrectly adjusted desk and screen and a chair that is not at the correct height, can cause physical discomfort that hinders the work. But using the wrong mouse can also cause complaints. Discomforts such as tingling, pain in the forearm and neck complaints are examples of complaints that initially feel like a kind of muscle pain and are not yet alarming. But as soon as these complaints persist, the pain will spread and feel more annoying, and they will not disappear after a good night's sleep or during the weekend. The onset and course of these ailments will be different for everyone. To recognize these stages of complaints, this is described under the term RSI.
What is RSI?
RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury and is actually a collective name for injuries due to repeated strain. These often form in the wrists, arms, neck, shoulders, and hands. Repeating a certain muscle tension many times ensures that the muscle can no longer relax. As a result, the muscle is continuously in a certain tension and the pain will worsen if the employee does nothing about it. Solutions can be changing the workplace, moving a certain exercise repeatedly or, for example, strengthening the muscles. Solving is necessary, prevention of these complaints is even better.
Ergonomic working, a solution for persistent physical complaints
There is nothing more conducive to deploying your employees as sustainably as possible. Attention to the working environment, attitude and behavior improves the sustainable employability of your people. It stimulates the working atmosphere, increases productivity, improves concentration and creativity and saves costs.

You cannot determine for your employees how they should deal with their complaints. You can ensure that the complaints do not arise (preventively), reduce or completely decrease. Together with the employee you can see what the complaints are and what he/she needs to recover from them. To prevent the complaints, you can take a close look at the workplaces, posture and conditions.

Workplace Survey
With a workplace survey you map out where improvements are possible. The aim of such an investigation is to increase the vitality of employees and thereby also reduce (future) absenteeism. Do your employees often work on the road or at home, make sure that these situations are also included in the research.

Purchase of ergonomic products
There are various ergonomic products on the market to optimize the workplace. From laptop holders and document holders to ergonomic keyboards, miceand office chairs. There are a lot of products available. This can be very difficult for an employee and you as an employer, because which product prevents or reduces the complaints. It is therefore sometimes wise to ask an ergo coach or a specialist such as BakkerElkhuizen for help. Following a workplace survey, he or she can give the right tailor-made advice.

There is nothing more conducive to deploying your employees as sustainably as possible. Attention to the working environment, attitude and behavior improves the sustainable employability of your people. It stimulates the working atmosphere, increases productivity, improves concentration and creativity and saves costs.

Provide a good basis, openness and transparency and prevent mental and physical complaints.
Interested in a workplace survey?

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