Watch out for These Signs That Your Workplace Is Turning You into a Zombie

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/economy/watch-out-these-signs-your-workplace-turning-you-zombie





The World Green Building Council launched a new report on Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in Offices which presents overwhelming evidence that a range of office design factors -- from air quality and lighting, to views of nature and interior layout -- can significantly impact the wellbeing and productivity of staff.

Staff costs, including salaries and benefits, typically account for about 90% of business operating costs. Therefore, even a modest improvement in employee health or productivity, can have a huge financial implication for employers -- one that is many times larger than any other financial savings associated with an efficiently designed and operated building.

The current emphasis on improving employee engagement and wellbeing, puts workplace in a central role to promote physical and emotional wellbeing through providing increased flexibility and choice. As such, workplace design and policy are increasingly seen as an aspect of Human Resources to be considered alongside other organizational rewards, costs and benefits.

Both design of the workplace and behavioral aspects impact wellbeing at work. Creating greater awareness of how we work and providing choices of where we work, can help incorporate a variety of experiences and movement to improve the mind/body connection and increase employee wellbeing and engagement. How much do most of us really move at work? Whilst new technologies allow mobility, in most offices we feel surrounded by zombies. The average adult can sit for up to 11.5 hours a day, with most of this time in the office -- back bent, perhaps chair not set properly -- and only move to go to the printer -- if we do not have one beside our desk, or to go get some food to bring back to the desk and mindlessly eat in front of the terminal.

[littlemissmartypants]

1. This is no doubt posted

At the Republican National headquarters.

Right next to the sign that reads...

All employees must wash their hands before returning to work.

Right after watching their fingers wash down the drain.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. Interesting read.

Thanks for posting, xchrom.

[randome]

3. I like Harvey Danger's philosophy better: "If you're bored, then you're boring."

It isn't necessarily up to the employer to make us feel emotionally good about ourselves. Nothing can stifle creativity so get creative.

There are small things you can do: push the elevator button with your foot, stop sitting in one place for too long, take the stairs two at a time. Let your hair grow! I swear, I see guys who seem to want to look like they just came out of the Marines. They look boring.

Build something stupid and creative on your desk out of office supplies.

The sky's the limit.

But I agree about the ergonomics problems. If you're at a desk, make sure your chair isn't harming you.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]