Workers’ Ailing Health Problematic; ‘Presenteeism’ Bigger Problem In Tough Times, Experts Say

August 23rd, 2009 in Health    No Comments

This article addresses “presenteeism,” the productivity lost by employees who are on the job but accomplishing little because they are distracted or suffering from fatigue or depression. The author believes this issue is particularly important now that many employers are financially unable to invest in infrastructure enhancements, making worker productivity more important than ever before. A recently completed multi employer study measured the total costs of employee illnesses. (more…)

Fresh Approaches To Indoor Air Quality (Keeping It Green)

August 11th, 2009 in Green, Health    No Comments

Good air quality is an important factor in maintaining a healthy and comfortable office environment. This article takes a look at the latest techniques to marry the best of ventilation and air filtration systems with low emission, environmentally friendly furnishings to enhance the health and performance of employees and bolster the organizational bottom line. Notable efforts discussed include:

• The use of low-emitting carpets, low-volatile organic paints and urea-formaldehyde-free wood products;

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Obesity And The Workplace: Current Programs And Attitudes Among Employers And Employees

January 16th, 2009 in Health    No Comments

Today two out of every three American adults is either overweight or obese and it’s predicted that by 2015, 40 percent of U.S. adults will be obese. Furthermore, notes the article, “Nearly 80 percent of obese adults have diabetes, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, or gallbladder disease. 40 percent have two or more of these conditions, with obesity linked to 400,000 deaths per year.”
For employers, this health catastrophe translates into high medical claim expenses, ever increasing short- and long-term disability expenses, higher absenteeism and falling productivity even when employees do come in.

This article explores the results of two major national surveys that shed light on these issues. The first survey examines weight-management programs offered by employers to counter obesity. The second survey explores employee views about these programs. The article briefly discusses the survey methodologies and then goes into some detail about the findings and their implications. Among the more interesting results:

• 71 percent of employers overall and 92 percent of employers with over 5000 employees agree that workplace weight-management programs are appropriate and effective in addressing their concerns about medical expenses and lost productivity;
• 80 percent of employees surveyed felt that weight-management and health lifestyle programs belong in the workplace, with only 10 percent (largely lower income, less educated workers) strongly believing that such programs interfered with privacy;
• 55 percent of employees agree that “seriously overweight or obese employees raise premiums for everyone”;
• Employers were more likely to believe obesity a result of poor lifestyle choices (93 percent) or preventable (87 percent) than “out of one’s control” (41 percent) or futile to treat (18 percent); while
• 81 percent of employees felt that obesity had a genetic component, although only 11 percent felt strongly about this.

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Know How To Sit? Local Back Care Consultant Says Simple Office Space Changes Can Relieve Pain

June 7th, 2008 in Health    No Comments

This article contains a number of ergonomic tips for small changes in office space that can instantly alleviate back pain. A few of the tips:

• Adjust your chair for your height. The back of your knees should be two finger-widths from the edge of the chair with your feet flat on the ground. People with shorter legs may need footrests.
• Use the back of your chair for support. Too much leaning forward strains your back muscles.
• Bring your work to you. Your monitor should sit about an arms length from your face. Always adjust your seat first then bring your work station to you. Most people need to bring their monitor and keyboard forward.

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Sick And Tired In The Workplace

June 2nd, 2008 in Health    No Comments

This article is one of a number of articles that show that “Presenteeism” is not just a U.S. phenomenon. A 2008 study shows that better than eight out of ten Canadians have gone to work too ill, exhausted or stressed out to perform productively. The author blames the economy, in-house job losses and the resulting increased workload on those remaining for stressing workers to the point of despair. Increased competition and workloads leave them too stressed to sleep, so they go into work early and work late to make deadlines, leaving them with more stress and even less sleep. This cycle, if uninterrupted, results in a resentful employee who is less and less productive and more prone to illness and disabilities. (more…)

Designing Light And Air – How The New Bank Of America Building Will Save Energy And Let Its Occupants Breathe Easy

March 17th, 2008 in Design    No Comments

This article is based on an interview with the architect of Manhattan’s new Bank of America Tower, which is expected to earn a platinum LEED rating from the U.S Green Building Council when it opens later this year.

While the building’s low energy profile has generated a great deal of publicity – it uses about half the energy of most buildings its size – the focus of this article is on what E.O. Wilson terms “biophilia,” the health, light and productivity story. (more…)

Lose Weight At Work

March 3rd, 2008 in Furniture    No Comments

Office furniture manufacturer Steelcase teamed its designers with obesity experts from the Mayo Clinic to develop a mobile office they call the Walkstation. Readers are asked to imagine an office desk attached to a treadmill, enabling the fitness-focused to walk while they work. The article assures readers that the pace is slow enough to minimize interference with productivity, while the super-quiet motor allows normal telephone conversations during its use. (more…)

Healthier by Design

December 1st, 2006 in Design    No Comments

With obesity on the rise nationwide, 1990s benefits like the corporate cafeteria and convenient employee parking are being replaced by building designs that promote fitness.  Bike racks and shower facilities for bike riders, open spaces that promote walking and elevators that are paired with staircases are the result.  Among other healthy designs mentioned in this article:

• Longer distances between parking areas and offices;
• Recycling projects; and
• Workplace air distribution systems built under the raised flooring that allow individual control over each employee’s vent.

Source: Florida Trend (St. Petersburg); Dec 1, 2006