Findings of an office ergonomics survey

Previous work into workers’ perceptions and experiences with the physical design of their workplace has shown that are pros and cons to both open plan offices and also private offices, and that having some control over... [ view full abstract ]

Previous work into workers’ perceptions and experiences with the physical design of their workplace has shown that are pros and cons to both open plan offices and also private offices, and that having some control over workplace environment leads to more positive outcomes for staff (Lee & Brand, 2005).
A company planning a move of premises was surveyed with regard to current experiences and expectations for the move, compared with a repeated survey a few months post-move. Proactive ergonomics actions in office environments can improve job satisfaction and staff retention (HFES, 2014). Previous work on office moves to co-locate workers who were not in the same building previously (as is the case for the company being surveyed) indicates that staff perceptions of workplace design giving opportunities for interaction with co-workers can be predictors of their perceptions of interactions post-move (Rashid, 2013). The survey considered aspects of office ergonomics including: technology used, input devices, seating, lighting and other environmental factors, issues surrounding flexible working availability and uptake, and self-report of discomfort experienced whilst working, amongst others.