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An adjustable chair can provide good back support and help reduce fatigue
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the person so that tasks and equipment do not create injury. One of the best investments you can make in your administrative assistant’s working life is to create an ergonomically sound workspace. Here’s why:
1. Reduced fatigue.
Even people who spend all day at their desk can find their work day tiring. This is because sitting actually requires muscles to work hard to maintain posture. If a person is working in a poorly designed work station, the strain and fatigue increase. Fatigue increases the risk of injury as well as lower productivity during the day.
Here is what you are looking for:
- Enough leg room to stretch and change foot position.
- Hands-free headset for the telephone.
- Opportunities during the work day to get up and walk around
2. Reduced Absenteeism
Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and injuries, such as back injuries, all lead to days off work for medical appointments and rehabilitation. Take precautions to help prevent the need for outside care.
What you are looking for:
- Correct positioning of keyboard for typing.
- Correct positioning of monitor and reference pages, which should be clipped at the same eye level as the monitor.
- Correct posture while sitting, typing and filing.
- Find out whether any elements of the workspace, such as storage, require reaching too high above shoulder level or too low.
- Good footwear. Looking stylish is always nice, but encourage employees to wear sensible shoes for walking to run errands or while moving items around the office.
3. Increased Productivity
When people work in ergonomically correct workstations, they are more productive, even if they are taking the recommended mini-breaks every hour or so! Their productivity is increased because there is less strain on their musculoskeletal system.
4. Lengthen Health and Wellbeing
With less wear and tear on the muskulotskeletal system, your employees will thank you as the years go by and they experience fewer aches and pains and days off for disability than peers in less ergonomically correct settings. Ergonomic considerations include factors that affect allergies and overall health, in addition to the musculoskeletal concerns listed above. Look for:
- Vents that blow directly onto your employee.
- Comfortable climate controls.
- Signs of allergies, such as sniffling, sneezing, congestion.
- Risks for injury, such as excessive cords in walking areas or tasks that require lifting too-heavy loads.
- Signs of vision problems, such as dry eyes, frequent eye irritations and increasing the size of type faces on the computer monitor.
5. Improved Attitude
Who can complain when work is comfortable and the boss cares how you feel in your job? Since an administrative assistant may be the first contact the outside world has with your office, investing in his or her comfort may have unforeseen ripple effects. Still, there are mood considerations as well. Look for:
- Opportunities for your employee to spend time outside in the sun. Even a lunch break walk is a pick-me-up.
- Signs of depression. Encourage the use of Employee Assistance Services as needed.
- Opportunities for appropriate socializing.
