25 April 2007

Research reveals chronic health issues for UK office workers

• 77% of workers suffer eye fatigue, 71% suffer backaches, 67% suffer headaches
• 79% of 16-24-year-olds complain of eye fatigue, 80% have backaches
• High workloads prevent 31% of workers taking 'ergo-breaks'
• 47% of employees haven't been 'ergo-advised'
• Over two thirds of employees would consider suing their employer over health issues
  

ViewSonic Europe today announced results from an independent research project, The ViewSonic @Work @Risk Report, which reveals that millions of British office workers are suffering chronic poor 'desk health'. The survey of 1,500 UK office workers shows a clear link between poor ergonomics knowledge and an increase in symptoms such as headaches, eye fatigue and backache.

The study reveals that 46% of office workers spend six or more hours in front of their computer screens a day and the majority (51%) of these are not scheduling appropriate breaks according to ergonomic guidelines. Around three quarters of workers report suffering from headaches (67%), eye fatigue (77%) and backache (71%). The incidence of physical symptoms increases markedly in line with lack of ergo-awareness. Work-induced stress and anxiety is also an issue for 78% of office workers.

Lack of awareness

Although most office workers say that ergonomic issues are important to them (75%), only a fifth have ever complained to their manager and asked for a better desk, chair, phone or screen, despite the high incidence of health issues. Indeed, a third admit not knowing where to start improving their desktop environment. The lack of knowledge is compounded by low levels of personal initiative; only 15% have tried to investigate best desktop policy or sought professional help, or spoken to friends or colleagues for ergonomic advice.

Mel Taylor, Vice President, Director of European Marketing, ViewSonic said: "The research shows that not only are we a workforce plagued by chronic ill-health, but that we lack the will to change at both an individual and corporate level. Employers could eliminate these issues instantly for many staff by promoting better desktop ergonomics. Sadly, the issue is not on the board's agenda, despite the potential for huge productivity gains."

Alarmingly, it is the youngest office workers that are most at risk. 16-24-year-olds who work the longest screen hours are least likely to be scheduling appropriate breaks. They are one-and-a- half times more likely to suffer headaches (76%) than those aged over 55 (48%).


Duty of care ignored

There may be trouble ahead for employers who do not promote good ergonomics practice; 55% of young employees (16-24-year-olds) report that excessive workloads or peer/management pressure prevents them from scheduling more frequent breaks and are consequently developing poor work habits. Almost half of workers (47%) say they've been offered no advice on the best desktop layout or ergonomics best practice in the last 12 months. More than two thirds (69%) say they would consider future legal action if they should develop a long-term illness or disability induced by their office environment.

Mel Taylor continued, "Employers are ignoring their duty of care responsibility and may be opening themselves up to serious legal liabilities in the future. We urge both employers and employees to change this casual attitude to ergonomics - companies can do a lot more to instil better working practices but armed with even a little more knowledge, employees can look after themselves a lot more effectively too."

Emil Reisser-Weston, ergonomist from e-OfficeSafey.com says: "It is vital that computer users take regular micro-breaks every hour. Just standing up and having a quick stretch will in fact increase productivity and not lessen it. It is all about creating a culture within the organisation where this sort of behaviour is approved."

To receive advice from experts in the field of employee wellbeing and health insurance along with key examples of award winning health policies attend the: Health Policy in the Workplace conference