New Generation of Executives Concerned About Health and Productivity at work
The call to employers to provide a wireless office is on
October 16th 2006 – Younger office workers are demanding more from their employers than ever before, reveals recent Plantronics research [1]. 85% of 20 to 30 year olds are looking to advances in technology and progressive office equipment to combat increased hours, stress and ill-health caused by the workplace.
50% of office workers feel they are chained to their desks and those rising through the ranks are starting to challenge the long hours and traditional working methods that have become standard practice in most workplaces.
Plantronics research reveals that four out of five office workers believe that the modern workplace requires a greater ability to multi-task compared with five years ago. 80% of those interviewed also felt that their health and productivity would be better if they could move around more at work and in a manner more suited their own work-style.
Independent research by performance consulting firm HB Maynard has confirmed the role of headsets as efficient workplace technology, improving productivity as much as 43%. In controlled testing over an eight day period, workers equipped with headsets also reported higher morale, lower fatigue levels and fewer phone-related physical complaints.
There is a measurable risk for anyone using the phone for as little as two hours a day; especially in terms of phone cradling between head and neck. The University of Surrey in a report titled ‘The Effect of Telephone Headset Use on Working Posture and Self Reported Musculoskeletal Symptoms: An Intervention Study’ confirms that headset users experience a reduction of 31% in neck pain and 16% lower back pain.
With long term sickness absence caused by back pain, costing the UK £6bn a year in benefits, treatments and lost production, a headset is a simple and cost effective piece of technology to implement explains Philippe Vanhoutte, managing director, Plantronics EMEA.
“The new generation of executives are more likely to integrate new technology into their working life and work in a smarter way. Adoption and interest in new wireless equipment is highest for workers in their 20’s (84%). New standards need to evolve to create a healthy working environment and attract and retain the best young talent who are looking at their work-life balance with fresh expectations and ideas,” explains Philip Vanhoutte, managing director, Plantronics EMEA.
Health and Productivity - Top Tips
Don’t let the office get the better of you!
Backcare Awareness Week (16-21 October 2006) serves as a reminder – in particular to those of us who spend every day within the constraints of an office environment – to pay attention to our physical well-being.
With a large proportion of people in the UK currently working in sedentary office-based jobs, at the mercy of their phones and PCs, back pain is the nation’s second commonest cause of long term sickness absence for much of the UK (1).
With research showing that healthy employees are as much as 20% [2] more productive than their unhealthy peers, leading headset manufacturer, Plantronics, has come up with a check list of winning ways to make sure that you’re in control of your working day and your environment and maintaining peak performance every day.
- Take breaks. The Health and Safety Executive recommends that short, frequent breaks (5-10 minutes after 50-60 minutes of continuous work) are more satisfactory than longer less frequent ones. Even small breaks, facilitated by switching to a wireless headset to make calls, can liberate you from your sitting position and allow you to stretch your legs whilst remaining in touch
- Get some air. Go for a walk, get some natural light and do whatever you can to take a lunch break at least twice a week – no matter how busy you feel you are. It will actually increase your alertness, help you relax and ultimately make you more productive
- Stay ahead of the pack. Make sure you plan for tomorrow last thing in the evening so you can anticipate how your day will pan out which will minimise anxiety and allow you to enjoy the evening without work worries
- Don’t let email be the boss of you. Sort incoming mail into categories: urgent, important but not urgent, and non-urgent, non-important. Do not afraid to be ruthless
- Remember what your mother told you and ‘sit up straight’! Or make sure you have your work station assessed at the very least. Using a headset can help you improve your posture as you don’t have to cradle your phone between your neck and shoulders
- Don’t be an ostrich! Address issues head on, and try to restrict your use of email. Make difficult calls first thing and phone or ask questions face-to-face wherever possible. This will cut down on the amount of email messages in your in-box and will also improve working relationships
- Smile! Try your best not to let stressful situations get on top of you; take a deep breath and get things into perspective. A smile even comes through your voice when you are on the phone and makes you sound warmer. On the whole people react more positively to people who sound friendly and approachable – which will help you out in the short and long term
(1) www.backpain.org
[1] Independent research by KRC Research of 750 office workers in the UK and across EMEA, in August 2006, March 2006 and October 2005
[2]VieLife
