NICHE FEATURE
Back to the desk With the rise in hybrid working, it’s time to focus on back health. Many working at home may well be sat at ergonomically unsound desks which could be having a detrimental effect on the back health of employees and the productivity of your workforce WORDS BY EMILY MILLER
L
izzie Handley, musculoskeletal expert at Function Jigsaw, explains: “Maintaining good posture plays an important part in keeping the structures of the back and spine healthy.” “It helps to keep your bones and joints in alignment, maintains optimum muscle balance, helps prevent excess wear and tear on your joint surfaces, decreases strain on ligaments, prevents muscle fatigue and ultimately pain.” With posture being key to good back health, working from our home offices may not be the soundest of environments for good posture. Anyone working from their sofa with a laptop on their lap or from the dining room table could be at risk from poor posture and therefore poor back health. Lizzie elaborate: “Ensuring
workers have a good desk setup at home is paramount, as well as taking regular breaks and making sure to address any postural changes or muscle imbalances that have already occurred.” From an employer’s perspective, a healthy workforce means ensuring their back health is optimum too. “Back pain is the largest contributor for absences from work in the UK; promoting and educating good back health and posture can only be a positive step forwards in combating this for both the employee and the employers.” So how can employers contribute to supporting the backs of their employees? A DSE Assessment to ensure your employees are utilising their equipment in the office for a start. This will also guide your
HAVING OPTIMUM BACK HEALTH IN YOUR EMPLOYEES CREATES OPTIMUM HEALTH IN BUSINESS EFFICIENCY
team on what they should also be doing when working from a desk at home. In addition, breaks in the day and general wellness should also be encouraged, as well as support for those who have existing back conditions which may be exacerbated by poor posture at work. “If someone has an existing back complaint, it will be made worse by poor posture. By visiting us at the Active Hub at Function Jigsaw, we can assess and support any conditions to get employees to their optimum health,” Lizzie adds. Having optimum back health in your employees creates optimum health in business efficiency. For a variety of ways to enhance your employee’s health visit functionjigsaw.co.uk. NICHE | 83
