This has been a big year for Steelcase UK. In recognition of Steelcase’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of office workers through the use of ergonomic seating, the British Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) officially endorsed all Steelcase seating products. Steelcase UK is now an approved partner of the CSP, and the two organizations continue to work together to promote this cause and educate the UK on heathier seating. Here we recap the importance of prioritizing wellbeing in order to maintain a healthy, productive and profitable workforce. 2011 has been a challenging year for many. Cut-backs are common and maintaining efficiency is a challenge. 

Steelcase, the global leaders in office furniture industry, has done extensive research into how to maintain an efficient, productive office in line with the way people work today. We have found that promoting and maintaining the wellbeing of your workforce is crucial, and so we can make several recommendations to help employers to improve the happiness and effectiveness of employees in a tough economic climate.   

Many of today’s workers are plagued by stress, fatigue, illness and burnout, all of which impede their productivity and engagement in work.   As many companies downsize and ask their workers to do more with less, the creativity and innovation of staff has become more valuable than ever. But at the same time it appears that the vast majority of employees are not working to their full potential.

Increased globalisation also means that workdays now stretch across time zones and into the after-work hours that were formerly considered to be personal time. More and more workers do not have a separate ‘work life’ and ‘home life’ – they have merged into just one, driven by demands of the 24-hour workplace.

The wellbeing of workers is essential for producing the kind of break-through ideas and solutions that create success.  Wellbeing refers to not only the physical, but also the cognitive and emotional needs of workers. Innovation and efficiency are the backbone of all companies, and both are heavily impacted by these workplace developments.  Author Richard Florida explains that all companies, both small and large, are striving to create workplaces that cater for their employees’ physical, mental and emotional needs.  “In this, they have no choice: Either they will create these kinds of environments, or they will wither and die.”

One of the main components of workforce wellbeing is the physical health of employees.  “Supporting human and environmental health is fundamental to product performance requirements and people’s wellbeing,” says Angela Nahikian, director of global environmental sustainability for Steelcase.  Addressing this in your office environment can boost productivity and reduce both absenteeism and presenteeism, which occurs when an employee is physically present, but not mentally engaged at work.  As Steelcase research ergonomist David Trippany explains “Physical wellbeing impacts cognitive and emotional wellbeing, to have the brain fully firing, the body needs to be supported and comfortable”. 

This may start with something as simple as an adjustable chair, but it certainly doesn’t finish there. 

Workers all over the world are suffering from work-related illnesses such as strained eyes, hands, arms, neck, shoulders and backs, all of which lead can lead to costly days off sick.  This is due to so many office workers sitting in a static position for long periods of time, which, though an unfortunate fact of modern working life, need not have such a profound impact on our health.  

There are several solutions for increasing workplace mobility.  Tools such as the Walkstation designed by Steelcase company Details combines a workstation with a treadmill and can be both a fun and effective way to get workers moving. Height-adjustable desks such as Steelcase’s Activa range give employees the flexibility to work while standing or sitting. One of the best solutions is to simply create opportunities for the workforce to get up and move around during the day. Encourage workers to stand up, stretch out, and take a short walk to get their blood flowing. Ensure there are separate areas within the office for meetings such as break-out areas in cafes to providing quiet places to make phone calls in peace. 

In addition to physical ailments, mental stress is an increasingly prevalent problem in offices today.  Beatriz Arantes, a psychologist and Steelcase researcher explains: “Cognitive overload is a fundamental problem in today’s workplaces, there is a lot of noise, and the more we have to pay attention to unnecessary details, the more cognitive resources it takes.”   A well-designed and equipped workplace makes a significant difference in the way we process information and engage with work.  

So how can we make sure that workers are supported mentally?  Providing staff with the right tools and superior connections can turn a small office into an appealing and stimulating place to work. Also, giving workers a certain degree of personal freedom to manage the way they work will allow them to find a work style with which they are comfortable, therefore increasing productivity and reducing stress. 

Making sure that there are sufficient spaces within the office to support a switch in modes of work can also make it a lot easier for workers to adapt to the different day-to-day tasks asked of them. Places such as an office café or team working area that encourages collaboration can help to give workers the freedom and mobility they need to be productive.  Essentially, offering choice leads to workers who feel  empowered, and empowerment encourages workers to enjoy what they do, thus ensuring workers are happy and motivated.

Until recently workers came to the office to be connected. But technology has given us the freedom and independence to work anywhere, anytime.  But despite this, offices can still provide a myriad of benefits, such as working in teams and using colleagues for inspiration. Allowing employees the freedom to choose how and where they work can reduce stress, making for a happier, more productive workforce.

Making these adjustments – encouraging movement, catering to different working styles and introducing flexible working  options – are effective ways of helping your employees reach their potential. Ultimately, a happy, healthy staff makes for a productive office, which is crucial in order to maintain a healthy bottom line.