Poor desk health crippling UK office workers

There may be trouble ahead for employers who do not take ergonomics seriously, research has claimed.

A report commissioned by monitor manufacturer ViewSonic suggests that 69 per cent of UK office workers would consider legal action if they developed a long-term illness or disability induced by their office environment. 

The ViewSonic survey of 1,500 UK office workers was conducted in February 2007 by market research firm Tickbox.net. 

The results reveal that 46 per cent of office workers spend six or more hours a day in front of their computer screens, and 51 per cent of these are not scheduling appropriate breaks as recommended by ergonomic guidelines.

Around three-quarters of workers reported suffering from combinations of headaches, eye fatigue and backache, and the incidence of physical symptoms increased markedly in line with a lack of ergo-awareness.

Although 75 per cent of office workers indicated that ergonomic issues are important, only a fifth have ever complained to their manager and asked for a better desk, chair, phone or screen.

"The research shows that not only are we a workforce plagued by chronic ill-health, but that we lack the will to change at an individual and corporate level," said Mel Taylor, vice president and director of European marketing at ViewSonic.

"Employers could eliminate these issues instantly for many staff by promoting better desktop ergonomics. Sadly, the issue is not on the board's agenda despite the potential for huge productivity gains."

Many employees believe that their company has a duty of care when it comes to work health issues, yet 55 per cent of 16 to 24 year-old employees report that excessive workloads or peer/management pressure prevents them from scheduling more frequent breaks.

The survey suggests that employees are developing poor work habits as a consequence.

Almost half of workers said that they have been offered no advice on the best desktop layout or ergonomics best practice in the past 12 months.

"Not only are employers ignoring the clear productivity benefits of better IT equipment and ergonomics, they are ignoring their duty of care responsibility and may be opening themselves to serious legal liabilities in the future," said Taylor.

"We urge employers and employees to change this casual attitude to ergonomics. Companies can do a lot more to instil better working practices but, armed with even a little more knowledge, employees can look after themselves a lot more effectively too."

Emil Reisser-Weston, an ergonomist from e-Office Safety, added: "It is vital that computer users take regular micro-breaks every hour. Just standing up and having a quick stretch will in fact increase productivity and not lessen it. 

"It is all about creating a culture within the organisation where this sort of behaviour is approved."

In response to the findings, ViewSonic has launched an educational resource at Monitorvictims.com which offers a range of self-help ergonomic tools and calls on employers and individuals to heed the warning signs.