Designing a better workplace
 This month’s e-news looks at another big “e” word in the office environment: ergonomics. Defined as “the applied science of equipment design for the workplace intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort,” ergonomics is a critical element in today’s office furniture and equipment design. Let’s take a closer look.
Easy on the Arms (and more!)
The armrests on your chair, if you have them, seem like a simple thing. But evidence suggests that adjustable armrests can relieve muscle activity and promote better seated posture in workers who use computer input devices as a regular part of their job.
 Armrests were once considered status symbols of the executive class. Over the decades, however, their presence have increased, and are now deemed vital to ergonomic chair designers for relieving physical discomfort for workers at all levels, especially those who spend a good part of their day using computers.
Despite the name, armrests affect more than the arms. The entire hand-arm-shoulder-neck-back system can be affected. Sometimes users may experience discomfort at a different area than the actual problem site. For example, users might take steps to alleviate wrist pain without knowing that their discomfort is a result of stress on the neck and shoulders from inadequate arm support. Armrests can even alleviate pressure on the seat and lower limbs, and stabilize posture.
Just as no two sets of arms or bodies are the same, your armrests should be tailored to your body dimensions. That’s why adjustability is key. Some important elements to look for in armrests include:
- Independent adjustments to accommodate asymmetrical work.
- Pivoting to assist in sideways movements, such as working with a mouse.
- Tilting mechanisms to angle below a work surface if necessary.
- A broad padded surface to support the "fleshy" portion of the forearm and to cushion the highly sensitive ulnar nerve near the elbow.
Lastly, a well-designed office chair with fully adjustable armrests will only serve you successfully if you know how to adjust it properly. Read the product manual, or better yet, consult the manufacturer or reseller for a demonstration. Just call or e-mail us and we will gladly provide you with a free ergonomic assessment of your chair regardless of the manufacturer.
Be well-armed for comfort and productivity?call Merkel Donohue!
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Seventh Inning Strech
You don’t have to go to the ballpark to know that you need a break from sitting for extended periods. Getting up and moving around is the best option, but sometimes it’s not always feasible. Whether you’re at the office, traveling or waiting in line, here are a few exercises to help you through your day:
- Foot Pumps: With your heels on the floor, raise your toes as far as possible. Hold for a few seconds and lower them to the floor. Then raise your heels while keeping your toes on the floor and hold for several seconds. Repeat five times.
- Ankle Circles: Raise your feet off the floor and rotate them in a circular motion. Make five circles in clockwise and counterclockwise directions with each foot.
- Knee to Chest Stretch:While seated, lean slightly forward and clasp your hands around one knee. Slowly pull your knee toward your chest and hold for 15 seconds. Release and switch to the other leg. Repeat twice.
- Neck Roll: Relax your shoulders. Stretch your neck toward your left shoulder; hold for a few seconds, slowly roll your head toward your chest, and then stretch toward the right shoulder. Hold for a few seconds and then reverse, rolling your head from right to left. Repeat three times.
- Shoulder Roll: While seated, keeping your arms in place, move shoulders in a circle from front to back five times. Repeat in the opposite direction. Also try shrugging your shoulders upward to your ears, hold for a few seconds, then dropping them.
- Back Arch/Stretch: Stand and place your hands on your hips toward the small of your back. Lean back making sure to support your back with your hands. Return to upright position. Also try leaning left and right to stretch your sides.
- Finger Stretch: Stretch your hands out, palms down, fingers spread apart, and hold for a count of five. Then make hands into fists, curving wrists gently inward, and release.
- Wrist Stretch: Place one arm at your side and grasp your forearm with the other hand. Bend your hand upward from the wrist and hold for a count of five. Relax, then repeat three times. Do it for the other arm, too.
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Special Offer: Easily enhance your workspace ergonomics.
Details I/Q Keyboard Tray 26" Straight Platform
This useful device has a lift and lock design with a negative tilt mechanism, plus a 7 inch arm and 23 inch track. The 26 inch platform has an extended gel palm rest.
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Regular price: $220
Sale price: $125
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Office Move Tips
Merkel Donohue’s Relocation Services provides businesses with top quality, professional relocation services. Being prepared can make moving day a stroll in the park. To help our clients ready themselves for the big day, Merkel Donohue offers this handy list of do’s and don’ts.
- Personal Items -For your own protection we ask that you move personal items yourself. Money, purses, keys, pictures, mementos, small desktop plants, and other personal items are best moved on your own.
- Desks – Pack all contents, including papers, trays, books and other desktop items, as well as any papers under glass tops. Put paper clips, pencils, rubber bands and any other loose materials in envelopes sealed and then packed in cartons. Protect all glass items with paper or other protection. Leave glass tops and pads on desktops for the mover.
- Filing Cabinets – Vertical file cabinets can be moved with some contents intact. Tighten the internal drawer compressor in each drawer. Only the bottom two drawers of a lateral file can remain full. Again, only paper items in them and compressors need to be tightened to keep items inside intact. All other drawers in a lateral must be empty. Please lock any files that have contents left in them and take the key with you.
- Cartons-Be sure that all cartons are properly assembled. Leave no more than a two inch space at the top of each carton. Breakable items should be placed in the center of the carton after being carefully wrapped with paper or other protection.
- Storage Cabinets – Pack all contents from supply or storage cabinets. Lock cabinet doors and keep key with you if lockable.
- Book Cases– Pack all contents.
- Office Machines– Do not pack these. Leave machines on top of desks. We will be speed packing them and moving them unless your manager has indicated otherwise. Any pads or covers to office machines are to be packed in cartons.
- Lap Tops– Move these yourself for safety. If you have one, take it with you prior to the move.
Merkel Donohue Move Coordinators tag all boxes and furniture for the relocation and installation. With their special tagging system, it is important to leave the boxes in their individual stations once they are packed. If employees want to write their last name on their boxes for easier identification, that is always welcome.
When you’re ready to move, look to Merkel Donohue!
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New Digs, New Looks
Marsh on the Move
Marsh, the financial and insurance experts, teamed with Merkel Donohue for what’s known in the business as “The Total Package.” That is, Merkel helped not only to design and furnish Marsh’s new offices, but also to move them to their new location. To begin, Merkel Donohue provided office design services – how best to utilize space and maximize productivity for their staff. From there, decisions were made about what furniture to keep or refurbish, what they needed to add, what Merkel could buy back from Marsh, and what they should discard.
When move time came, Merkel completed the task in about two and half days. Thanks to a helpful set of instructions (see article “Move Tips”), Marsh was well prepared. The relocation was quick and efficient; Marsh was amazed at how simple the process could be. They were extremely pleased with the smooth move and their new office environment.
Fresh Look for Farash
Farash Corporation set out to create a new image for themselves, and started with corporate headquarters. They were due for an update; furniture was old and mismatched, carpet was worn, filing space was limited, and offices didn’t support the way they worked.
As part of the new image, Farash wanted to make employees feel good about coming to work with inviting interiors and workspaces that promote productivity. Office designers Christian Leighton from Positive Environments and Jane Malachowski from Merkel Donohue created a totally new, progressive environment.
The range of products was inspiring: indirect lighting from Lightolier, Milliken Carpet tiles, Gunlocke wood furniture in the Executive Floor, Debonnair Lounge Chairs; Tapas Tables, Steelcase Products for the second floor including Criterian and Springboard desk seating, Protégé side chairs, and much more.
Farash’s new look has made a bold statement to both its customers and employees!
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Factoids
- If you frequently refer to documents while working on the computer avoid placing them flat on the worksurface. Looking down places strain on the neck and can cause pain. Try clipping them to the side of the monitor or propping them on a document stand to the side of the monitor. Another alternative is to place them on an “in-line” document holder or a slotted keyboard platform that positions them between the keyboard and the monitor.
- The recommended distance from you to your monitor is 18 to 30 inches. Anything closer may result in eyestrain from over-focusing. Oftentimes a computer monitor is placed on a worksurface that is too shallow to also properly accommodate the keyboard. This usually positions the worker too close to the screen. If the depth of your work surface is insufficient, consider adding a keyboard platform to create distance.
- Your head weighs about as much as a bowling ball—anywhere from 10-14 pounds. Craning your neck to view a screen too far away, bending back to see a monitor too high, or bending down to view a document on the desktop places strain on the neck and shoulders and increases risk of injury. Avoid bending your neck in any direction while working at the computer. Keeping your head straight could save your neck!
- Light levels do not need to be as bright for computer work as for reading or writing. For greater comfort, lower ambient lighting for computer work and provide directional lighting with a flexible task light for documents or deskwork.
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Ask Our Workplace Whiz
Question:
The atmosphere in my office can get so stressful. I like working here, but what can I do to alleviate the stress for myself and others?
Answer:
Let’s get one thing straight – you can’t alleviate other people’s stress. They have to do that for themselves. You, on the other hand, have the power to manage your own stress. First some background on the problem, which has become a big issue for many office workers.
According to data from the Attitudes in the American Workplace VII Report:
- 35% of workers say their jobs are "harming their physical and emotional health"
- 42% report job pressures are "interfering with their personal relationships"
- 50% indicate they have "a more demanding workload this year than last"
The result is a continued rise in workplace absenteeism attributed to increased stress. Here are some suggestions to help manage the stress in your workplace.
- Keep a stress journal.
Are there any noticeable patterns as to what bothers you and what doesn't? Are particular times of the day or tasks especially stressful? This knowledge will help you mentally and physically prepare before the actual stress hits.
- Understand what you can change and what is beyond your control
Try letting go or shortening exposure to the stressful things you have no power over.
- Maintain and strengthen your emotional and physical reserves.
Build supportive and trusting relationships with your social network. Find ways to relax mentally by seeking daylight views to the outside, personalizing your space, or listening to music. Getting enough sleep and avoiding unhealthy substances can also help.
- Find your own quiet place.
Quiet spaces within the office provide a needed respite. Locate a private enclave, rarely used conference room or corner of the cafeteria where you can collect your thoughts. If the work culture supports it, take a walk outside?alone.
- Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.
According to the Human Resource and Management Report / July 2002, communication is the most effective way to reduce stress. Connect with a coworker in a lounge or café space and after gathering your thoughts and rehearsing what you want to say - say it - then be prepared to listen and receive feedback.
- Utilize your commute to and from work more effectively.
Rather than returning calls or listening to talk radio, consider "de-stressing" with classical music or just plain silence. If possible, vary your travel route and try to locate one that tends to be more peaceful than stimulating.
Includes information from an article by Pam Brenner entitled “Workplace Stress.”
If you have a question for our Whiz, please send your e-mail query to whiz@merkel.com. Look for your answers in upcoming issues of Offices@Work.e-news.
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