Category Update

The wellness Special Issue FACTOR VENDOR SPECIAL

Opportunities abound in the health and well-being category as companies are trying to woo their staff back to the office – by Michelle Sturman

The workplace wellness category was growing at a reasonable pace of around 5% pre-COVID, according to research and education resource, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). Growth fell by 7% when the pandemic entered the picture but, as offices are now finally beginning to welcome back staff, GWI projects an annual rise of 3.8% to reach $58.4 billion in 2025.

Digging deeper into December 2021 data from The Global Wellness Economy: Looking Beyond COVID report, GWI reveals that much of the spend on workplace wellness is motivated by business owners’ desires to lower healthcare costs; improve morale, retention and recruitment; and increase productivity and competitiveness.

The research firm believes that companies are realising a “compartmentalised, programmatic approach is not particularly effective”.

The report says: “The sudden and dramatic shift to remote work has also challenged long-held assumptions about what wellness means in the work context. Some employers are beginning to adopt a more holistic approach that encompasses company culture, hierarchy, leadership style, workflow, built environment, etc.”

BE SENSITIVE

As the emphasis shifts towards a return to the office, Darren Hilliker, Architecture and Design Manager of UK-based workplace connectivity and ergonomic solutions vendor CMD, warns: “Employers will need to be sensitive to everything people have been through over the past two years and the lasting effects the experience may have on their well-being.”

Durable Managing Director Rolf Schifferens believes the coronavirus crisis has most certainly changed how health and well-being is perceived. “The focus in recent months has been on hygiene, along with social distancing, technology for hybrid working and meaningful signage,” he says.

Research undertaken as part of the Gensler US Workplace Survey Winter 2021 substantiates this view. Respondents stated they would be more comfortable going back to the office if the following were implemented: indoor air filtration systems (80%), enhanced cleaning protocols (76%), access to more private spaces (74%), operable windows (65%), vaccine requirements (65%) and outdoor workspaces (61%).

Speaking to OPI, a Fellowes Brands spokesperson confirms: “Prior to the pandemic, it was rare to see HEPA grade filtration outside of specific healthcare settings. Now we are observing widespread adoption of air purifiers in shared areas. Additionally, cleaning and disinfection activities were often ‘out of sight, out of mind’, but efforts are currently being made to reassure staff and the public they are in a safe space.

“According to a study published by the Cleaning Coalition of America, 66% of US employees want better hygiene and jan/san practices before returning to work. People have always assumed that their offices and the air they breathe within them are clean, but today they want confirmation and are explicitly asking what is being done.”

This unease extends to all areas of the working environment, including the washroom, where hygiene was already a major concern pre-COVID. While apprehension about visiting public facilities has fallen over the past year or so, users nevertheless still consider toilet seats, lids and flush handles to be unhygienic, as reported in the Dyson Washroom Attitudes Survey 2021.

Results for the UK, for example, reveal unclean toilets are the biggest frustration (59%), followed by lack of toilet paper (49%), blocked toilets (41%) and no soap (35%). There’s also hesitation over hand dryers, with 40% concerned about having to press physical buttons and 34% worried about the dryers not being cleaned enough.

While these aspects remain a worry, Schifferens believes the task now is to create good arguments for working at a company’s premises again. “If businesses succeed, through clever solutions, to make working on-site pleasant, team-orientated and agile, it will be easier to motivate employees to come back to the office. A well-equipped workplace is pretty much standard today, so ideas are needed to generate added value for staff.”

MORE POSSIBILITIES

And some interesting opportunities exist. Robin Bayliss, Group Sales Director at office furniture manufacturer Bisley, says: “Lockers have become a real focus for organisations seeking to provide their employees with secure spaces for personal belongings, as they look to maintain cleaner, more hygienic and streamlined workspaces post-pandemic.

“This is especially relevant for companies that are adopting hybrid working practices, clean desk policies, or where shift patterns have been introduced to manage employee footfall.

“Naturally, the 2022 locker is altogether different from the kind of locker you’ll find at your local leisure centre. For a start, the aesthetics

Special Issue HEALTH & WELL-BEING are next level, but these new-gen lockers have also got the capacity to have some serious tech installed, much of which reduces the amount of touching required – a definite bonus when it comes to hygiene. “Importantly, the technology helps to enable a workforce to operate in a hybrid way. Take wireless smart locks as an example. The latest smart locking technology allows management to VENDOR SPECIAL Special Issue remotely assign and manage users, schedule auto lock/unlock and receive instant alarm alerts.” BREAKROOM BOOSTER One category that has been pretty much jettisoned throughout the pandemic is the breakroom – because of the lack of office occupancy in the first place and the Special Issue VENDOR SPECIAL work-from-home (WFH) situation, but also as a result of restricted access to kitchen facilities and common areas. However, leaders in this field have worked hard on resolving hygiene issues and creating new possibilities within the realm of health and well-being in the workplace. As Patricia Hohlfeld, Senior Director Field & Account Sales at Nestlé Professional, explains: “Recognising that people need to feel safe and have all the protocols, policies and installations necessary in place to make this happen is absolutely paramount. It extends to office coffee corners, cafeterias, breakrooms – the entire facility. We work with our customers to solve safety concerns and add healthy, single-serve, minimal-touch products for workstations as well as WFH packages.” Florence Pompeu, Senior Associate Brand Marketing at the company, adds: “Recent innovation is driven by a few interesting things we see emerging and accelerating, related to wellness. The first is continued interest in personalisation to fit the diet that individuals feel is right for them. While this has been a trend for a number of years now, we’re observing even more interest from consumers in trying different diets and proactively managing their health wherever they are, including in the office. In large part, it has inspired our new plant-based and sugar-free creamers from Coffee-mate. “There’s also been an incredible focus on emotional well-being and mental health, and businesses collectively recognise the importance of bringing employees together virtually, on-site and in hybrid environments. “One last opportunity we see accelerating is around sustainability. On the surface, it may not seem like a health and wellness topic, but consumers show increasing interest in solutions that are ‘good for me,’ ‘good for the community,’ and ‘good for the planet’.” Suzanne Cohen, Marketing Director, Away from Home at Lavazza Group BU Americas, agrees: “Some companies limit numbers in a cafeteria, breakroom or bathroom at one time. In the breakroom, some employers have switched to recyclable cups and utensils. This reduces the risk of germ exposure from shared items and helps prevent sink backups.

Employers will need to be sensitive to everything people have been through over the past two years

Bisley LockerWall

“As companies are trying to get staff back to the office a few days a week, many managers are looking to upgrade their coffee systems and beverage offerings as these are considered a form of appreciation and motivation.

“Today, people are drawn to healthier beverage options such as functional teas and vitamin-infused waters. Interestingly, a recent research study reveals that Gen Z consumes ready-to-drink versions more frequently than brewed coffee and pods.”

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Some surprising facts regarding dietary habits have also emerged in The Third Annual State of Snacking by Mondelez International. According to the 2021 study, as consumers’ lives have changed over the past couple of years, they are now equating snacks with well-being: 80% are looking for snacks to improve physical health, 80% for emotional health, 75% for mental health, and 65% for social health.

In addition, there is rising interest in functional snacks, ie immunity-boosting ones or those rich in vitamins. Snackers are further seeking information on packaging as regards mindful snacking tips, health indicators such as the traffic light system, and visual guides to portion sizes.

Professional services firm JLL corroborates these sentiments. Its Regenerative Workplace: Restoring Employee Wellbeing to Achieve Sustainable Performance report reveals employees are looking to their employers to foster a people-centric work environment that supports mental, social and physical well-being.

Relaxation and outdoor areas, and healthy food services top the list of must-haves. Yet only 17% of respondents currently enjoy access to relaxation places, while 19% have healthy food services available to them and 25% the option of outdoor spaces.

Further, with 33% of the workforce lacking access to any health amenities today, JLL believes there’s a golden opportunity for employers to address this need by offering well-being solutions. These could include conducting nutrition workshops, providing bike storage to promote exercise, offering mediation resources or making nutritious food options available.

MAKING A MOVE

Over and above implementing these new kinds of elements, the perennial task of keeping employees physically well still constitutes a crucial part of any well-being programme. Ergonomics is a big topic in this context. It’s increasingly important in a hybrid working world and will play an even greater part in the return to the office.

Says CMD’s Hilliker: “For premises with a hot-desking set-up, there is also the emotional impact of no longer occupying a designated, personal space. It will suit some personalities better than others. As with any transition, there will be those who need support.

“The other challenge with hot-desking environments is that there is no one-size-fits-all ergonomic workstation. Everyone is different, and how they work varies depending on their role, so the key criterion for selecting furniture for this environment is adjustability.”

Fellowes Brands’ spokesperson concurs: “When managing a hybrid/hot-desking model, it is imperative to consider employee health and safety. The risk of injury can be higher for hybrid workers than for those who work only in the office as a result of home/remote workstation designs that may not support the body or meet ergonomic best practices.”

“With social distancing in mind, we need to find a happy medium between safety and working within an existing footprint. Businesses should revisit office layouts to ensure enough

When managing a hybrid/hot-desking model, it is imperative to consider employee health and safey

space between desk configurations for people’s well-being while at the same time enabling collaboration to occur naturally.

“Staff may prefer to have a designated desk to feel sure it is clean, with space to focus on the tasks at hand. Ensuring their ergonomic equipment needs are met will be key, especially if they have been absent from the office for some time.”

Offering a comprehensive range of ergonomic equipment provides numerous health benefits, says Floortex Marketing Manager John Barker: “Standing and height-adjustable desks have boomed over the past five years. It’s obviously great that businesses are investing in these desks for employees, but the true benefits will only be seen if supported by ergonomic accessories.

“Spending a little on the extras maximises employee benefits and, by definition, gives the best performance payback to the business. Once in the habit of using ergonomic accessories, it becomes second nature and has a significant effect on physical well-being as well as helping with concentration and productivity.”

Prospects will continue to exist in the homeworking environment too, as Barker notes. For example, Floortex has seen “huge growth” during the pandemic for its range of chair mats.

“Most employees have little concern about worn flooring under their chair while in the workplace, but in their home it’s a different matter. Together with the easy-glide ergonomic benefits, homeworkers have really engaged with chair mats, and they are now seen as a key part of the home office solution.”

Lori Lockwood, Marketing Manager at Safco Products, is passionate about the importance of ergonomics as a fundamental part of well-being: “Your body was built to move and we think it’s time your workspace did the same. By pushing the limits of modern furniture and challenging the assumption that sitting behind a desk all day is the only way to work, having the right ergonomic options allow everyone to become more active during their day.

“You can offer a dynamic workspace by building a movement-rich environment. Creating small changes can add up to employees being more focused and productive.”

GETTING COMFORTABLE

The post-pandemic office must also encompass elements that, until recently, sat on the periphery of workplace wellness. As Durable’s Schifferens stresses, employees want to feel comfortable and valued wherever they are based. Therefore, a desirable environment should include a great indoor climate, good lighting and a whole raft of home comforts which could easily be transferred to the workspace.

Indeed, according to GWI, these features are currently being prioritised over pre-pandemic trend requirements like food bars, sleep pods and social/play spaces.

That said, Bisley’s Bayliss offers an alternative view on pod popularity, particularly with a post-COVID world of work in mind: “Pods are not a new concept in modern office design, and their use was on the rise pre-pandemic. We have recently seen huge demand for our Vetrospace pods which incorporate health technology, including antimicrobial lighting, antiviral nano-coating and clean air ventilation. They leave no room for bacteria, poor air quality or noise distraction. Additionally, their glass walls mean workers feel both part of the office environment and separate from it when required.”

Juggling all these requirements and finding a work-life balance for staff is definitely a challenge. Employers will have to significantly up their game to retain valuable employees and attract new talent.

Steelcase sums it up in its Changing Expectations and the Future of Work study where it urges companies to do a “better job at inspiring people and building a strong community”. The workplace, it says, “will have to provide the touches of humanity and warmth people are seeking to counter safety precautions organisations have needed to deploy”.

l For an ergonomic sitting position, your elbows and knees should be at a 90º angle. l Keep your monitor, keyboard and chair in a straight line to avoid twisting your spine. l The top of the screen should be exactly at eye level. l For individual adjustment, screens should be able to rotate and tilt. l You should be looking slightly down at the monitor. This relieves strain on the neck muscles, closes the eyelids slightly and helps to reduce eye drying. l Side lighting is best, so set up your workstation parallel to the window. l A mix of indirect and direct light sources with neutral white or daylight white workplace lamps is ideal. l The eye-monitor distance should be one arm’s length (50-80 cm). l Plants in the workspace humidify the air and prevent the surface of the eye from drying out. l Using two monitors boosts efficiency and reduces errors. You can turn a tablet into a second standing monitor using a mount.

Your body was built to move and we think it’s time your workspace did the same

TIPS FOR GOOD DESK-BASED ERGONOMICS