New research conducted by Fellowes UK, a specialist in manufacturing office ergonomic equipment, has revealed concerning findings about workspace ergonomics and employee wellbeing. The online survey, which gathered responses from over 1,000 UK office workers, highlights failings in workplace ergonomics and the impact it has on workers’ health and productivity.
The survey revealed that only one in three UK office workers believe their employers are getting the basics right when it comes to desk work and employee health. Shockingly, 27% of respondents also reported that their workplace has never carried out a workstation risk assessment.
Darryl Brunt, Sales & Marketing Director at Fellowes UK & Ireland, expressed serious concerns about these findings, stating that “these statistics are deeply troubling.” He stressed the importance of employers fulfilling their duty of care towards their employees’ wellbeing and providing workstation risk assessments to ensure their workforces are comfortable and properly supported at their desks.
The survey also uncovered a disturbing trend in workplace-related pain, with 51% of office workers experiencing back pain while sitting at their workstation. To help reduce this pain, 42% of respondents believe additional back support would be beneficial.
The research also revealed that workplace-related pain is impacting the personal lives of office workers, with over a fifth of respondents experiencing physical pain while making everyday movements and requiring regular pain relief medication to cope. The survey also showed that office workers aged 35-44 are more likely to take time off due to pain caused by their workstations.
Furthermore, the survey highlighted that when hybrid office workers work from home, many do not work at a desk. In fact, 21% work from any available surface and 19% work from the sofa. This has resulted in back pain being a bigger issue for those working from home, with 59% of respondents sharing that it is their biggest source of discomfort or physical pain, due to their work set-up.
Darryl Brunt emphasized the need for UK business owners and HR departments to address this issue, stating that “these are shocking figures that need to be brought to their attention.” He stressed that this issue must be addressed to reduce discomfort and pain related to workstations, which will ultimately lead to reduced employee absence rates, increased morale, and improved productivity.
The survey also revealed that only 22% of respondents believe their employers are investing in the right ergonomic equipment to support employee health. However, when given the right ergonomic equipment, 89% of office workers noticed a positive impact on their health, motivation, and productivity levels.
Darryl Brunt stressed the importance of providing adequate workstation equipment, stating that “by carrying out thorough workstation risk assessments, UK businesses can gain insights into the exact equipment each employee requires to feel supported at their desk, allowing them to be as comfortable and productive as possible while they work.”
Fellowes UK continues to champion workplace wellbeing through its range of ergonomic solutions designed to support healthier working environments. To learn more about the research findings, a whitepaper can be downloaded on the Fellowes website.
For media inquiries, please contact Jenny Adair, Digital PR Consultant at Mediaworks, at jenny.adair@mediaworks.co.uk. For business inquiries, please contact Darryl Brunt, Sales & Marketing Director at Fellowes UK & Ireland, at dbrunt@fellowes.com.
About Fellowes:
Fellowes has been operating since 1917 with a strong belief in improving the lives of those they serve. Led by the Fellowes family, the company’s culture remains unified around values established over a century ago by founder Harry Fellowes. Today, Fellowes serves professionals around the world with innovative solutions that enable greater productivity, wellness, and inspiration to deliver A Better WorkLife.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.