Trends in Office Furniture That Can Reduce Employee Absence

Part 1

Every year millions of work days are lost due to employee illness, costing companies a small fortune and a big headache, a fact many will already be well aware of. The two biggest causes are musculoskeletal disorders and stress, yet there are actually things employers can do to significantly reduce these problems and cut employee absence.

More and more businesses are realising that not only is it preferable but it is necessary to provide an environment conducive to work and creativity in order to get the best from their staff and no where is this more evident than in the furniture they are choosing. It is for this reason that the main trends in office furniture for 2008 are those designed to reduce stress, both mentally and physically, resulting in a more productive workforce. The long and the short of it is the happier and more pain free a workforce is, the less likely they are to need time off and the better the quality of work, good news for any business. This is something Office Reality understands with their extensive range of furniture, including everything from office desks and office chairs to office space planning and office storage, designed to suit any industry, budget or taste.

Back pain and repetitive strain injury are at the top of the agenda for most firms and to address this it’s imperative to look at the seating provided for employee use. Long days spent hunched over keyboards in unsuitable office chairs put the body under an immense amount of strain causing anything from tension in the shoulders through to extreme lower back problems. Thanks to a greater choice of style, function and affordability, more office workers than ever can now take advantage of ergonomic seating; chairs that encourage correct posture and support the spine in order to reduce the effects of a sedentary life.   

Unlike many of the bulkier ergonomic office chairs currently on offer, Office Reality stocks the Orthopod Chair, so slim line and in tune with the current fashion for minimalist style it stands out as a must have for any fashionable workplace. Yet all these good looks still come with the latest ergonomic technology. Made from a single sheet of laminated European beech moulded under high pressure to replicate the shape of the spine it is practical as well as sleek. Completed with a silver finish octopus base, pressure sensitive foam, multi-adjustable arms and gas lift mechanism collaborated to 23 stones, this office chair, available in a variety of fabrics or vintage leather, starts at £364.

At the other end of the price range coming in at a very respectable £96 is the Kensington Massage back care chair. Available in black or cream leather, this luxury office chair with padded arm rests and polished steel base has a reclining and locking mechanism and multi function massage movement.

Despite the rising problem of obesity in Britain, many manufacturers are behind the times when it comes to providing office furniture for this percentage of the population. The Axil 24 hour Chair supplied by Office Reality caters to this growing area of the workforce while still retaining a sense of style and elegance. Suitable for people weighing up to 23 stones, it is designed to withstand constant, round the clock use and has a moulded foam seat and back for maximum comfort. Starting at £296 and available in a selection of materials, this office chair has optional additional extras which include inflatable lumbar support, headrest and memory seat foam.

Simple but effective changes like this can make all the difference to the well-being and output of your staff, something that Office Reality understands. For more information and advice visit www.officereality.co.uk

In Part 2: How new designs in office furniture can help to relieve depression and antipathy in the workplace.