Ergonomic Office Furniture

When it comes to buying new office cubicles, there is one factor that is often overlooked, but extremely important. That factor is ergonomic office furniture. While comfort and health may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you are thinking about new office furniture, the negative affects of choosing poorly designed cubicles can be substantial. Such affects range from stagnated morale, a slump in productivity, or in severe cases, sustained injuries leading to compensated leaves of absence and lawsuits. Though these are extreme cases, it's no doubt that ache-and-pain inducing office furniture isn't going to inspire top-notch output from your employees. Even if you don't end up paying hard costs, you will lose money on soft work as your employees try to finish fast, are constantly distracted, and want to speed out of their cubicles as soon as possible. Comfy, inviting ergonomic office furniture will ensure you've done all you can to make your workers want to settle in for a day of peaceful, pleasant work.

Ergonomic Office Furniture: Have you covered your bases?

Ergonomic Chairs.

Make sure the cubicle systems you purchase support an ergonomic seating position. When seated with feet flat on the ground (or supported by a footrest) legs should be bent at a 90-degree angle. The seat should be at or slightly above knee level. The chairs you purchase should be aligned in a way that employees do not hunch or slouch, and they should provide support to your employees' spines and lower backs.

Ergonomic Desks and Worksurfaces.

The systems furniture you purchase should include spacious worksurfaces to accommodate an employee's necessary materials. The height of the worksurface should be conducive to good posture, and the employee's feet should rest on the ground. There should be enough space for your employee to slide their knees beneath the desk or cubicle worksurface without their thigh touching the underside of the surface. Resources in the cubicle should be kept at arm's length to minimize stooping and crowding around the feet.

Ergonomic Computer Keyboards.

The ideal position for a computer keyboard is below elbow height so that wrists are not bent up, down or to the sides, so look for cubicle system worksurfaces that support this. An adjustable keyboard platform is the best assurance for proper positioning because it adjusts in height and angle combating arm strain and bent wrists. If your employees use laptops, they also need to have adequate space to rest their wrists at the proper height.

Mice. Agile mouse access is another key feature of ergonomic cubicle systems. Like the keyboard position, the mouse should be easily accessible and below elbow height. Your employees should not have to stretch to reach their mouse. Many keyboard platforms will accommodate a mouse also.

Computer Monitor/Display.

Ergonomic office furniture promotes good posture. The proper placement of the monitor encourages sitting up straight. In the ideal position, the monitor should be at or slightly below eye-level, allowing your eyes to rest on the screen comfortably. Your employees should not have to hunch forward or lean back to view their monitor, preferred viewing distance is usually between 20 an 40 inches. Appropriate positioning of the monitor reduces headaches and eyestrain. Determine whether you have LCD monitors or older CRT monitors and make certain that the worksurface shapes accommodate the sizes you have. LCD monitor arms provide additional adjustment in height and position from the user to assure proper ergonomics.

Cubicle Overhead Storage

Overhead storage shelves and cabinets should be attached at a reasonable height so the user will not have to reach too high, yet be out of the way from taking up desk and workstation space. Plenty of overhead storage goes a long way to preventing cluttered cubicle systems. When it comes to purchasing overhead storage, sky's the limit!