At Sussex Facilities Management understand the vast responsibilities and costs that come with being a business owner. You’ll already have a number of outgoings such as buildings, salaries, tax, insurance and more, so investing in quality office furniture and equipment for your employees may seem like an unnecessary expense. For many businesses, it may be tempting to cut corners where possible and purchase cheaper alternatives.
However, you should consider a few important factors before making this decision:
- On average, an employee spends 1,800 hours every year sitting in the office chair that you provide for them.
- Medical studies clearly demonstrate that poorly designed office furniture can lead to injuries such as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
- The continual replacement of cheaper alternatives will cost more than just the chair itself. For example, you need to account for the human resources needed for the accompanying administration.
We suspect that these three points alone will be enough to make you pause for thought, but we will be exploring them in a great deal more detail throughout this blog. Given the above, you may not be surprised when we tell you that we would always recommend investing in proper office furniture for your workforce, especially when they’re working from home. Here’s why:
Cost
Contrary to popular belief, ergonomic furniture doesn’t always have to leave a burning hole in your pocket. Whilst some can cost thousands of pounds, you can often find a happy medium of chairs that cost between £200 and £600.
If this still sounds like a steep outlay for you, consider the long-term investment. There is no denying the short-term savings achieved through buying cheaper options, but this can often lead to further outlays in the future. A cheaper cost often means cheaper materials of a lower quality, which are a great deal more likely to brake or need replacing on a regular basis and much more likely to cause back problems. .
This is exactly why good-quality furniture made for all day sitting can lead to long-term savings, as they rarely need replacing. Even if they do, high-quality furniture from trusted brands usually come with long-standing warranties or guarantees, so there is little risk of losing any money.
It comes down to this: Would you rather buy 1 chair every year for the foreseeable future or 1 chair that is likely to last 10 years or more?
Productivity and Staff Morale
Perhaps even more important than cost, you need to consider the effect that office equipment has on staff morale and the health of each employee. It can be difficult to justify spending money on something trivial like seating but given the ailments that can derive from bad posture, it should actually be a top priority, resulting in top productivity.
It is common knowledge that a poor posture can lead to Musculo-Skeletal problems with the neck, shoulders and back, as well as chronic pain and eye strain. As an employer, you will also be acutely aware that medical complications can disrupt activity and result in daily discomfort that routinely interrupts the workflow of your employees. In the worst cases, it can even lead to additional sick leave. A less than desirable scenario.
For an employee experiencing this pain, it can be equally as frustrating and of huge detriment to their morale. It’s surprising the difference a chair can make to how they feel about your business.
So, what should you look for in high-quality furniture, particularly chairs?
- Adjustability: Most ergonomic office chairs are constructed using fabric, leather or mesh and are usually adjustable. One size certainly does not fit all!
- Back and Lumbar Support: This will help your employees maintain a healthy posture when working from their desk at home.
- Cushioning: Comfort really is key when working from the same chair for 7 or 8 hours a day.
- Supportive Armrests: A necessary feature when using a computer mouse and fighting against Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
- Recline: Frequently changing positions is an effective way to reduce neck and back strain. Alternatively, you can look into sit/stand desks which are risking in popularity.
In summary, there are so many benefits to investing in the right equipment. The chances are, your employees spend more time sitting in their chair in their home office than they do on the sofa, so they need something equally as supportive as it is comfortable.
To chat through all your options with us and promote healthy working throughout your workforce at home or at work, speak to a member of our team today on 01444 812 171.
