Safety in the Hybrid Work Model

Safety and Ergonomics in the "new" Hybrid work model

A hybrid form of employment involves a mix of traditional office hours and off-site labor. While many businesses insist that their staff spend most of their time in the office, others permit at least some telecommuting. Others advocate for unrestricted freedom of location for all employees.

There's no doubt that the hybrid work model is the most significant trend in the workplace, and it's gaining pace despite its hurdles.

The benefits of hybrid work are increased employee satisfaction and productivity to lower overhead costs for the business. Many businesses have seen significant increases in revenue after adopting a hybrid model.

However, as with any significant shift in workplace culture, inherent risks must be addressed before implementing a hybrid program.

One such risk is Working from Home Ergonomics;

People who frequently work on computers from home are likely to have back pain, neck pain, headache, fatigue, and overall discomfort. This is because of the awkward positions they hold themselves while using their computer. Studies show that 70-80% of computer users complained about musculoskeletal symptoms. The main culprit seems to be spending long hours with your elbows bent at 90 degrees or more while working. This increases nerve pressure around the neck, which leads to muscle tension and headaches. These issues can be caused by several factors, including prolonged bad posture, repetitive movements, incorrect mouse positioning, and other ergonomic problems associated with desktop computing.

However, these issues are easy to resolve if you pay attention to proper ergonomics.

If these challenges can be tackled successfully, then the future is bright for hybrid work models.