26 April, 2025

Office Ergonomics 101: How to Create a Healthier

Workplace for Your Employees

Overview

Why Does Ergonomics Deserve a Seat at the Strategy Table?

Office design is not just about aesthetics or space optimisation—it’s about health. In India’s desk-dominated work culture, musculoskeletal issues, fatigue, and repetitive strain injuries are on the rise. These aren’t isolated health concerns; they’re business concerns.

When done right, office ergonomics helps reduce discomfort, prevent injuries, and enhance employee focus. Whether your team is on-site, hybrid, or fully remote, ergonomic planning can elevate both well-being and performance.

Cost of Neglect

What You Don’t Fix, You Pay For

The long-term consequences of ignoring office ergonomics can be costly. Employees spending 8–10 hours a day at a poorly set-up workstation face a higher risk of chronic neck pain, back problems, wrist injuries, and eye strain.

These health issues lead to:

  • Increased absenteeism due to physical discomfort

  • Higher insurance and physiotherapy costs

  • Lower morale and early burnout

  • Decreased overall productivity

A 2023 study by Mint revealed that nearly 60% of Indian office professionals report posture-related pain, up from 47% in 2019. Preventive design and ergonomic awareness can help reverse this trend.

Health-Driven Design

Ergonomics Isn’t Just About Comfort—It’s About Capability

Ergonomic interventions lead to:

  • Fewer physical complaints and medical leaves

  • Improved typing speed and task accuracy

  • More incredible energy throughout the day

  • Enhanced engagement, especially in hybrid settings

A workplace that supports movement, posture, and visual comfort supports long-term performance.

Key Adjustments

Simple Fixes That Make a Major Difference

Creating a healthier workplace doesn’t always require a complete office overhaul. Strategic ergonomic changes can start small and still deliver significant results.

Key focus areas include:

  • Ergonomic seating: Adjustable chairs with lumbar support prevent slouching and spinal stress.

  • Desk positioning: Height-appropriate desks allow natural arm and wrist alignment.

  • Monitor setup: Eye-level screens reduce neck strain and eye fatigue.

  • Keyboard & mouse alignment: Proper placement reduces wrist pressure and repetitive strain.

  • Lighting & glare control: Reduces eye fatigue and enhances focus.

  • Footrests and document holders: Ensure neutral body posture and reduce shoulder tension.

These adjustments, when paired with movement-friendly practices, reduce long-term health risks.

Ergonomic Culture

It’s Not Just the Chair—It’s the Mindset

Office ergonomics works best when integrated into daily routines—not treated as a one-time fix. HR and leadership teams must champion awareness and participation.

Practical steps include:

  • Hosting ergonomics awareness sessions and digital posture audits

  • Sharing quick desk stretch routines and posture reminders via internal platforms

  • Encouraging regular micro-breaks and alternate sitting-standing schedules

  • Creating department-specific interventions (e.g., for customer support or design teams)

  • Promoting remote-friendly ergonomics through video-based workstation reviews

When employees understand the why behind ergonomic habits, they’re likelier to stick with them.

Setup Evaluation

How to Know If Your Workplace Measures Up?

Start with a simple audit to assess whether your office meets ergonomic best practices. Look for areas where employees report pain, fatigue, or discomfort—and where workstations lack adjustability.

Evaluation checklist:

  • Are employees using chairs that adjust to their height and posture?

  • Is screen height appropriate across workstations?

  • Are desk heights consistent with keyboard positioning needs?

  • Are there policies or reminders promoting movement and eye rest?

  • Has your company sought feedback on comfort or physical strain?

Regular ergonomics reviews ensure continuous improvement, especially as teams and work arrangements evolve.

Final Thoughts

Ergonomics as a Business Foundation, Not a Perk

Office ergonomics isn’t just about ticking a compliance box but building a thriving workforce. In India’s increasingly sedentary work environment, a well-designed workspace reduces injuries, boosts energy, and enhances focus.

Companies that invest in ergonomic practices experience fewer medical claims, lower attrition, and improved daily performance. Whether setting up a new office or updating a hybrid policy, embedding ergonomics into your design and culture is a bright, sustainable move.

Future-Proof Your Workplace with BJM Health

At BJM Health, we help Indian organisations create ergonomic workspaces that actively prevent injuries and support employee well-being. Our physiotherapy-led assessments, posture correction sessions, and workplace wellness plans are tailored to your team’s needs, whether they work at a desk or from home.

Let’s build workplaces where comfort and productivity go hand in hand.

Ready to Transform Your Workplace Wellness?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can businesses design a workspace that promotes employee health?

Start by assessing workstation layout, furniture adjustability, and lighting. Use ergonomic chairs and desks, ensure proper screen alignment, and promote movement throughout the day.

Key interventions include posture-friendly chairs, correct keyboard and monitor positioning, wrist support, and regular stretching. These reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain.

Ergonomic workstations reduce discomfort, prevent fatigue, and improve focus, allowing employees to work longer with greater accuracy and energy.

Common issues include non-adjustable chairs, poorly placed monitors, lack of footrests, and ignoring lighting needs and overlooking these leads to posture-related injuries and low morale.

Use interactive workshops, digital posture check-ins, and frequent nudges. Create ergonomic ambassadors within departments and offer flexible tools for office and remote setups.

They form the foundation of physical comfort. Properly designed chairs and desks support spinal alignment, reduce joint pressure, and enable healthier sitting postures.

Conducted employee surveys and physical workspace audits, as well as reviewed medical complaint data. Involve physiotherapists or ergonomists to design targeted improvement plans.

BJM Health combines clinical physiotherapy expertise with practical ergonomic solutions tailored for Indian workspaces. We focus on posture correction, injury prevention, and long-term wellbeing across industries.