Office Ergonomics

I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like I spend the majority of my time at work. Not only do I spend a lot of time at work, but I spend most of my day sitting. This is unfortunate because my body stays stagnant most of the day. This can be unhealthy for multiple reasons. The thing that bothers me the most about sitting all day is the way it makes my back feel all hunched over and contorted. Because of this I thought that it would be beneficial to do a blog on office ergonomics (an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely).

1.     Keeping good posture can improve your mood and attitude.

a.      True

b.     False

2.     Bad sitting posture can lead to…

a.      Bad standing posture

b.     Back ache

c.      Varicose veins

d.     All of the above

3.     Exercising even when you aren’t at work can help with your posture at work.

a.      True

b.     False

4.     Does posture correlate with work productivity?

a.      Yes, having good posture can make you more efficient.

b.     No, you can be just as productive if you are slouched and hunched over at your desk.

Get This…

Did you know that bad posture can lead to increased amounts of stress? This all stems from the fact that bad posture makes it harder for us to breath, making our bodies work harder than they should. This ultimately causes stress. Being able to breath correctly and using deep breathing exercises not only reduces stress, but also helps to decrease blood pressure! All of which are good things for your body. So sit up straight and let the oxygen flow through you!

 

Can You Answer This Question???

What is the best way to counteract poor posture at work?

A.    By making sure you stay as still as possible, with good posture.

B.    By allowing yourself to get up and stretch out often.

The answer to this question may seem obvious, but then why don’t we actually do it more often? The answer to this question is A. Allowing our bodies to get up and move around will keep us from sinking into poor posture, and from getting sore. It may not be possible, but it’s recommended to take a two-minute break every 30 minutes. During these two minutes it’s a good idea to take a lap around the office or to do some desk stretches. Allowing your body time to move around and stretch out will help your posture and your mood! 

      

Get The Facts!

I’m assuming we’ve all seen the commercials for the treadmill desk. While this commercial is almost laughable the concept is actually pretty smart. The treadmill desk may not be for everyone, but a standing desk, or even a better chair can help with posture and back pain! The options are nearly endless when it comes to chairs that decrease back pain. If you don’t have the means to purchase a new office chair, don’t fret, you can adjust your current chair! Placing a pillow between your chair and your lower back, also known as your lumbar, can make a huge difference in keeping good posture throughout the day! 

…So Call

As always, if you have any other suggestions on how to decrease back pain and poor posture tell us in the comments!

For any forklift and industrial shelving needs or questions call us (513) 842-2012! Thanks for checking out our blog!

Happy + Motivated = Productive

We’ve all had jobs we love, and ones we hate. Of course, some of this has to do with the actual tasks we are hired to perform. Other times our love, or lack thereof, for a job is formed by the surrounding atmosphere. Co-workers can play a large part in forming the atmosphere of a company, but management also plays a huge part in forming the overall vibe of a company. 

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Job security and happiness go hand in hand.

a.     True

b.     False

2.     What percentage of work itself has to do with job satisfaction?

a.     25%

b.     50%

c.     75%

3.     What kind of employees are the most productive?

a.     Employees that just want to get things done and get out.

b.     Employees that are happy and enjoy their job.

c.     Employees that are grateful to have their jobs, but don’t necessarily enjoy the work.

4.     The happiest career in America in 2013 was...

a.     A Salesman

b.     A Restaurant Owner

c.     A Professional Cheerleader

d.     A Biotechnology Worker  

Get This…

It seems like employees would be easy to please, especially if they’re paid well, in actuality this is not the case. Just think, if you’re spending forty plus hours a week at work it might take more to keep you happy. Below is a list of a few things that employees say are most important to them.

1.     Relationship with supervisor

2.     Job security

3.     Benefits

4.     Compensation and pay

5.     Chance to use skills

6.     Feeling safe

7.     The actual work

8.     Independence

9.     Corporate culture

10.  Work-life balance

Can You Answer This Question???

A happy employee, opposed to an unhappy employee, is about______% more productive, and reduces staff turnover by______%.

A.    20, 87

B.    15, 75

C.    35, 37

According to an article written in 2013 having happy employees can make a world of difference within your company. They not only have a good attitude about what they are doing, but their attitude is contagious and spreads to customers and other employees! If you chose A then you are correct!

 Get The Facts!

It’s clear that having happy employees can really improve a business’s environment and a business in general. So wouldn’t it be beneficial if owners, managers, and leaders of a company know what makes thier employees happy? John Maxwell describes leadership as “…influence, nothing more, nothing less.” However, the way in which you influence someone can change the outcome of a situation greatly. So here are some traits that make for good leadership:

1.     Honesty: This makes employees feel like they know you, and can relate to you.

2.     Passion: Being passionate about the things you love shows, and that can influence others to help you reach your goals.

3.     Respect: It’s important for all employees to be treated fairly and equally.

4.     Confidence: Confidence can be very persuasive; if you don’t believe you can do it, nobody else will either.

5.     Clarity: This is important to figure out who and what kind of leader you are. It is also important to be clear when asking things of your employees.

6.     Engagement: Not only does a leader need to be engaged, but so do your employees, so give them challenging tasks, and ask their opinions.

7.     Communicative: It’s important to communicate your vision, your thoughts, and your expectations.

8.     Supportive: Create a positive environment that allows and encourages your employees to flourish. 

If you have any other suggestions, or any books on how to be a good leader drop them in the comments! We'd love to hear your opinion!

…So Call

For all your forklift and industrial shelving needs give us a call: (513) 842-2012, or send us an e-mail: Omega.rockett@yahoo.com