Rethinking Workplace Design

Rethinking Workplace
DesignA Guide to Creating Spaces that Foster
Meaningful and Productive Employee
Experiences

1Rethinking Workplace Design

Table of Contents
3

Introduction

4

Why Now is the Right Time to Reimagine the Office Space

8

Considerations for Workspace Planning26

8Gathering Employee Input

10

Designing for Wellness

16

Facilitating Collaboration

18

Prioritizing Flexibility & Adaptability

20

Measuring the Impact

23

Implementing Training & Education

Conclusion2

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3

Introduction
Following the rapid adoption of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are still assessing
how to make office spaces meaningful and effective for employees—regardless of how and when they are used.
Companies are minding costs amid an uncertain economy while competing for top talent. They’re also reviewing thebenefits and financial implications of physical office spaces in general.
This presents a unique set of challenges as organizations look to reimagine their workspaces to align with rapidlychanging workforce needs. Long-term strategic planning must incorporate the office footprint as it relates to
employee preferences and workflow support.
Organization leaders looking to rethink their company’s physical footprint need insights, data, tools, and resources
to develop and implement thoughtful space planning initiatives that will benefit employees and enable
company growth.
This eBook is designed to help managers prioritize and customize spaces with sustainable and durable productsthat foster collaboration and support employee wellness. We also offer tools and guidelines for implementing thesechanges to enhance the employee experience by focusing on communication, training, and feedback, and how tomeasure success.

COMPAN Y LEAD ERS A ND OF F IC E MA NAGERS A RE
CON S I D ER I N G KEY QUESTIONS, SUCH AS:

Should our office

How do we balance

footprint grow, shrink or

aesthetics, employee

stay the same?

wellness and technology?

How can design elements
improve company culture,

Which equipment, furnitureproductivity and longevity?

and fixtures need replacing
or updating?
How can we future-proof our

How do we accommodate

office space while allowing for

employees’ preferred

scalability for further growth?

workstyles and schedules?
What types of spaces
and equipment facilitate
collaboration?

How do we incorporate
sustainability into our plans?

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4

Why Now Is the Right Time to Reimagine
the Office SpaceThe most thoughtful office plans are designed to enable employees to collaborate with co-workers while providing
the peace and space needed to complete work without the distractions of home.
Early in the pandemic, employees surveyed for a PWC U.S. Remote Work report cited collaboration and connection
as primary drivers of in-person appearances. However, a recent Gensler study found that many people now retreat
to offices for quiet and dedicated spaces to work. For those who have experienced children racing or dogs barking
through a virtual meeting, a quiet space can be an incredibly compelling motivator to leave home offices.
Therefore, gathering data is an essential first step when rethinking your organization’s office spaces. The first thing toconsider is what draws employees to the office, says Bob Fox, founder of Work Design Magazine.

Organizations should take ahard look at the workplace
as a tool. They have toask, ‘How does this space
help support the work that
we do, how does it help us
achieve our goals, and how
does it enable us to have ahealthy work environment
where people can thrive?’”
BOB FOX, FOUNDER OF WORK DESIGNMAGAZINE AND CORPORATE PRINCIPAL
OF D.C.-BASED FOX ARCHITECTS

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5

WHAT’S D R I VING PEOPLE TO THE OF F IC E?

Focus on work

Access to

Scheduled, in-

Access toOpportunity to

Professional

Scheduled(48%)

technology

person internal

specific spaces,

sit with theirdevelopment

meetings with(48%)

meetings

materials, and

team

(37%)

clients(42%)

resources

(38%)

(36%)

(39%)

Source: Gensler study

Office managers and leaders are still learning how the collective cultural shift around work will affect physical spaces,
but they do know it’s driving a fundamental change that will transform ubiquitous pre-pandemic office spaces forgood. Google flagged this transition as one of the top 2022 trends due to the high search volume around remote
work and virtual spaces.
ONLINE SEARCHES FOR WORDSASSOCIATED WITH REMOTE AND HYBRIDWORK INCREASED IN 2022:

60%

YOY increase in searchfor burnout symptoms

40%

YOY increase in search
for work-from-home(WFH) jobs

Rethinking Workplace Design

6

R ETU R N TO THE OF F IC E TA KEAWAYS

48% report the main

62% of employees

Human-centric offices

83% of employees say

reason to be in the officethat work in enhanced

and mindful products

they would willingly returnis to focus on work

workspaces have seen

help combat employee

to the office more often if

improvements in theirburnout—one of Google’s

companies offered theirmental health, versus

most-searched terms

ideal mix of experiences,

36% who have improvedin 2022

including private meeting

mental health in non-rooms, areas that foster

enhanced offices

collaboration and cafés

As employees continue to takestock of their current careers
amidst an unstable workforce
and economy, business leadersneed to place workplace
wellness benefits at the top of
their 2023 employee offerings.”
CHAD SEVERSON, ERGOTRON CEO

Rethinking Workplace Design

WOR KER S WAN T A MIX OF NEW EXPERIENCES
Respondents were asked to select their ideal mix of environments for their company's office from the list below.

Coffee Shop
Work cafés

Clubhouse
Informal spaces forconnection & community

Residential
More like home

Boutique Hotel
Hospitality-infused,amenity-rich spaces
Creative Lab
Tech-enabled spaces toexperiment & explore

Library
Quiet work areas

Corporate
Business-like

Conference center
Spaces to come together
for group work

T H E M IX OF EX PER I EN CESVARY BY G EN ER ATI ON

Younger generations prefer a coffee shop/
hospitality mix of experiences while older

Ranking of ideal office experiences fromgenerations prefer a more corporate experiencemost preferred to least

GEN Z
11-2 6 YEARS OLD

M IL L E N N I AL
27 -4 2 YE AR S O L D

GEN X
43 - 5 8 Y E A RS O L D

B ABY B O OM ER
5 9 - 77 Y E A RS OLD

1.

Coffee Shop

1.

Coffee Shop

1.

Coffee Shop

1.

Corporate

2.

Boutique Hotel

2.

Boutique Hotel2.

Corporate2.

Coffee Shop

3.

Clubhouse

3.

Clubhouse

3.

Boutique Hotel

3.

Residential

4.

Corporate

4.

Residential

4.

Residential

4.

Library

5.

Residential

5.

Corporate

5.

Clubhouse

5.

Conference Center

Source: Gensler study7

Rethinking Workplace Design

8Considerations for Workspace PlanningManagers faced with too many options can be overwhelmed with making the right choices for their business. It’s
important to tap a variety of tools, from checklists to comparison guides, to resources for training employees, to get
the most out of reimagined spaces and updated equipment. Those tools, many of which are outlined below, can help
managers pinpoint what changes will most benefit their organization and employees.

GAT H E R IN G EMPLOYEE I N PU T

Including employees in the process of designing
the office for their workflow is critical. Surveys, focus
groups and the use of pilot spaces are great ways
to get employee feedback on what is important tothem. Those insights provide a north star on focus
areas, opportunities to invest and where to save, as
well as a foundation for benchmarking success.”
ANNE PETSCHEL, ERGOTRON DIRECTOR OF SEGMENT MARKETING —WORKSPACE

To incorporate feedback from employees, companies should use survey tools to ask what they should include orbear in mind as they plan and redesign new workspaces.

TA LK TO A N EXPERTThe experts at Ergotron can help you craft an effective
employee survey and recommend the right ergonomic
solutions for your unique needs.
Contact your Ergotron representative.

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9

OFFI CE LEA DERS SHOULD ASK:

Are my employees

Are my employees

Have my employees

Do my employees feelDo my employees feel

comfortable?

performing repetitive
motions?

been injured on

productive insafe at work using

the job?

our workspace?

their equipment?

Employees are more willing to come into the office if their company provides optimal workspaces that facilitate work,
collaboration, and wellness. According to the Gensler study, 42% said they would return one day per week more, andanother 24% said they would return full-time to the office for their ideal mix of experiences.
In total, 83% of employees would willingly return to the office more often for an optimal mix. This creates anopportunity for managers looking to attract employees that have grown accustomed to the flexibility of working fromhome but lack comfortable and productive home workspaces.

What is important at this moment is the freedom
to choose. For many, there’s a workspace awayfrom the office and a workspace in the office,so how can that office space offer employees ameaningful experience?”
FLORIAN IDENBURG, ARCHITECT AND COFOUNDER AT SO-IL

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10

DESI G N IN G FOR WELLN ES S
When deciding how to furnish spaces, office managers should prioritize tools that contribute to employee comfort
and flexibility that are often absent from home office spaces. By choosing equipment and furniture that enables
employees to adjust their personal workstations quickly and easily, employees will notice a difference in how theirbodies feel with a workstation specifically tailored to them.
Recent research conducted by Ergotron, a global leader in ergonomic product development, found thatchanging the physical workspace to improve ergonomics positively impacts mental health and productivity. It
also indicated that 75% of employees find it (extremely) important to be able to easily switch between workspaces.

WORKSPACES AND ENHANCED WELL-BEING

Those who have enhanced their62%

workspace are more likely to haveseen improvements in their mental
health (62%) compared to those who
haven’t (36%).
Within this group, those who cited15%

improved mental health were more
likely to have had these officeenhancements funded by theiremployer (15%).

Source: Ergotron eBook: The Evolving Office: Empower Employees to Work Vibrantly

Rethinking Workplace Design

I MP R OV I N G EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
There are several ways managers can enhance employee wellness at the office. During the past year, 30% to
50% of companies have added new components to office layouts, according to EY, including café and lounge
spaces, a variety of informal and formal collaboration areas, and outdoor amenity spaces, among others. These
kinds of updates speak to a versatile office experience and to the ideal mix of experiences bringing employees
back to the office.

OF F I C E W ELLN ES S EN VI R ON MENT CHEC KLIST

Adequate natural light: Natural light helps employees maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle and boosts
mood and productivity.

Air quality: Filtration systems provide clean air and control humidity levels to reduce the risk of
respiratory issues and other health problems.

Ergonomic furniture: Ergonomic chairs, desks, and monitor arms help promote good posture, reduceback pain, and prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Flexibility: Furniture that is easily modified and stashed into open floor plans enables flexibility while
maintaining a clean aesthetic flow.

Noise reduction: Sound-absorbing materials and design features such as acoustic ceiling tiles, curtains,and carpets can reduce noise levels and improve employee concentration and productivity.

Greenery: Incorporate plants, living walls, or other greenery to improve air quality, reduce stress levels,and promote a sense of well-being.

Healthy food: Provide easy access to healthy snacks and meals, such as a well-stocked kitchen
or an on-site café.

11Rethinking Workplace Design

C R E AT IN G I N D I VI D UAL WOR KSTATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTETO E M P LOYEE WELLN ES S
One of the cornerstones of creating an effective workplace is to make sure that employees have access to flexible,
ergonomic furniture that can be easily adjusted to fit the needs of individual users.

CASE STUDY
Ergotron worked with L’Oréal to create a customizable,
sustainable workspace to promote employee well-being
and efficiency. This workspace includes LX Desk Monitor
Arms to provide movement, easy adjustment, and better
ergonomics.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work
time, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. An April 2020 survey from the American
Chiropractic Association revealed that 92 percent of chiropractors said that patients report more neck pain, backpain, or other musculoskeletal issues since before the pandemic.

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13

The word “ergonomics” refers to furniture and equipment that has been designed for efficiency and comfort in theworking environment. Proper ergonomics helps reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders by enabling people towork in a way that naturally aligns the body, reducing stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system.
The absence of ergonomics can force users out of alignment and into potentially harmful positions.

T H E ER G ON OMI C EQUATION: HOW TO WORK C OMF ORTA BLY

Neutral Posture•

Feels natural andVoluntary Motion•

comfortable.
•

Uses less energy.

•

Puts minimal stress on
your body.

Less tiring than sitting in

Rest Time•place.
•

Helps you feel alert andbreaks.
•balanced.
•

Improves blood
circulation.

Take quick, regular
Engage in light exercise/stretching.

•Relax eyes, wrists andhands.

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ADJ U STA B ILI TY

CONSTANT FORCE TECHNOLOGYWhen choosing ergonomic office furniture, space

Easily positions monitor arms, height-adjustablemobile carts and sit-stand workstations for
ideal ergonomics

planners should look for products that are easy to adjust.
This supports overall comfort and promotes movement
throughout the day that doesn’t disrupt productivity. For•

Simple adjustment

example, many of Ergotron’s best-selling sit-stand desks•

Breakthrough design•

Increased productivity

and monitor arms use Ergotron’s patented ConstantForce™ technology for effortless adjustment. These
products dependably support a wide range of technology
and require a uniform force over the full range of motion

Products like sit-stand desk converters can be added to existing office furniture. This allows organizations toincorporate more movement into the workday without a full office redesign. Look for sit-stand desks that movestraight up and down to maximize your space and use easy, crank-free height adjustment. Many sit-stand desks areready to go out-of-the-box, so they’re ready to integrate into home or office workspaces..

PR OD U C T SPOTLI G H T: Effortless Ad jus tme nt with Co ns tant Fo r ce Te chno l o gy

WORKFIT®-TL STANDING DESK WORKSTATION•

Sits right on top of most surfaces 24″ deep or larger•

Set one or two monitors or a monitor and laptop directly onto the worksurface•

Easily lifts straight up and down to minimize intrusion into the workspace•

Ships fully assembled with no tool adjustments•

Provides 15″ (38 cm) of easy height adjustment•

Uses Constant Force™ technology for quick height adjustment

U SE R F O R C EUser force, or the amount of energy required to adjust a workstation, makes a difference in office ergonomics. Toomuch force is a barrier to switching between positions, which interferes with the program goals and has the potential
to cause muscle strain or injury. Look for furniture that counterbalances the weight of the desk and monitors, allowing
for easy and instantaneous height adjustment.
Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends using a standing desk in the office to help offset back and joint pain thatmany began experiencing while working from home. Options like Ergotron’s Mobile Desk not only provide flexibility
between sitting and standing, but also offer mobility to enable collaboration.

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PR OD U C T SPOTLI G H T: Qu ality Mo nito r Ar ms fo r H yb r id Te ams

Each user can adjust their monitor positioning based on individual factors such as height, weight and body shape.

LX DUAL STACKING ARM, TALL POLE

MXV WALL MONITOR ARM

QUALITY MULTI-MONITOR MOUNTSTYLE MEETS FUNCTIONALITY

Position up to four monitors with accessory kits

Sleek and lightweight arm fits in tight spaces and keeps

for a new level of flexible working

work areas neat with cable management

HX DESK MONITOR ARM WITH HD PIVOT

LX MONITOR ARM

WORK AND PLAY REIMAGINEDFLEXIBLE AND MODULAR

Gives gamers and office professionals an immersive

Provides a large range of motion to place screens where

viewing experience on ultra-wide, curved displays

they’re needed and folds to save space

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FAC I L I TAT I N G COLLAB OR ATI O N
CREATING COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACES
While in-person activities are on the rise, the effectivenessof working alone and virtual work is declining. This suggeststhat even as businesses settle into more flexible models,companies can do a better job facilitating the spaces andactivities that will allow workers to be more productive andconnected wherever they work.
The desire to meet with teams in person is compelling
many people to spend time in the office. According toMicrosoft’s latest Work Trend Index research, employees
overwhelmingly conveyed their desire to rekindle
human connections.

85% of employees would

84% of employees would

74% of employees would go

73% of employees would go

be motivated to go into thebe motivated to go into theto the office more frequently

to the office more frequently

office to rebuild team bonds

office if they could socialize

if they knew their “workif they knew their direct teamwith coworkers

friends” were there

members would be there

Source: Microsoft Work Trend Index ReportManagers can help facilitate these interactions by choosing dynamic furniture that allows workers to quickly adapt
a quiet workspace into a collaborative meeting space. Companies can follow the example of Caisse PrimaireD’assurances Maladie, a private French company that looked to their employees to test different monitor arms tofind equipment best-suited for collaboration and productivity. Offices increasingly reflect the dynamic flexibility mostemployees and managers have built into their lives.

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PR OD U C T SPOTLI G H T: Sh ape a N e w Wo r k E xp e r ie nce with T RACEIn the era of hoteling, products like Ergotron’s TRACE™ Monitor Mount allow workers to easily adjust theirworkstations to their unique needs with the added benefit of keeping a clean office aesthetic. Using Constant Forcetechnology, the mount’s intuitive adjustment can save employees time since TRACE allows for an easy transition
between individual tasks and collaboration.
Ergotron’s TRACE™ Dual Monitor Mount intuitively adjusts between
tasks and postures to encourage movement and collaboration, always
returning to the natural home position.
•

Intuitive adjustment: TRACE effortlessly follows your next move•

Adaptable workstyle: Easily transitions between individual tasks
and collaboration•

More workspace: Lifts screens off the desktop from a compact base•

Stay organized: Integrated cable management reduces clutter•

Flexible design: Quickly converts to a single
monitor configuration•

Ergonomic fit: Encourages regular movement to support
healthy working

CASE STUDY•

Customer: Banque Populaire Rives de Paris•

Location: Paris, France•

Employees: 850•

Workstations: 700•

Project: Relocation of headquarters and implementation offlexible office model

When Banque Populaire Rives de Paris moved headquarters,
ergonomics, flexibility and sustainability were their top priorities.
Why they chose TRACE™ Single and Dual Monitor Mounts:•

Adapts to how each user works and feels their best to create ergonomic, flexible workspaces•

Intuitively adjusts between tasks and postures to encourage movement and collaboration, always returning to
the natural home position•

The modular TRACE design and premium, 15-year warranty solidify a long-term investment

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PR I OR I T I Z I N G FLEX I B I LI TY & ADA PTA BILITY
As balancing flexibility with functionality becomes more prevalent, workplace amenities once deemed novelties, likeinnovation hubs, lounge areas, and focus rooms, will rise again in popularity, predicts Work Design Magazine.
Managers can seek out flexible, high-quality furniture, like mobile desks, that can easily adapt to the unique demands
around how people work, connect, and collaborate to help maximize employee productivity and wellness.
Furniture designed with flexibility in mind allows people to quickly move their stations from place to place, but stash
it when out of office, retaining a clean aesthetic while inviting a new sense of energy and collaboration. Heightadjustable mobile designs allow employees to stand and collaborate in a shared space and then move to a quiet
area to sit and tackle individual work.

PR OD U C T SPOTLI G H T: F lex ible Mo b ile S o lutio ns

LEARNFIT® SIT-STAND DESKERGOTRON MOBILE DESK•Height-adjustable and mobile•

Height-adjustable and mobile•

Transform conference rooms or common areas into•

Easily travels between individual workspaces,

active spaces with flexible desks that can be easily

conference rooms and common areas

reconfigured to fit changing needs

TEACHWELL® MOBILE DIGITAL WORKSPACEWORKFIT-C SIT-STAND WORKSTATION•

Flexible mobile workspace•

Innovative computer cart•

Compact mobile hub stores all your technology on a•

Doubles as an adjustable sit-stand desk withheight-adjustable platform that lets you choose how

a compact, mobile footprint that easily moves

to learn, work or teachthroughout the officeRethinking Workplace Design

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FU T U R E - P ROOFI N G TH E OFFI CE: PRIORITIZING A DA PTA BILITY
AN D DU R A B I LI TY S U PPORTS SUSTA INA BILITY
For business leaders who want employees to feel productive and energized in the office, designing dynamic andadaptable spaces is a critical starting point. This allows employees to have a variety of workspaces to choose from,depending on the task at hand.
In the hoteling era, one way to support unique workplace demands is by updating chairs and desks. But for broader
office support, workspaces need to flow with the employees using them—and this is not an easy task. Transforming
spaces is labor intensive due to the architectural integrity of a space, the tools and products employees need, andthe ability to adapt spaces for a variety of uses.
This has led to new products that accommodate what offices need today, which may differ from what they’ll needin five years. Implementing adaptable furniture can save time, energy and money if it helps a business avoid asubsequent office move or future refurbishment.
Mobile desks provide a kind of flexibility that lends itself to all different types of desk formations so employees
can rearrange themselves in collaborative ways that make sense for their different projects. And when the projectrequires independent work, employees move to give themselves space and privacy.

Choosing office furniture that adapts to different users
and workflows is critical to ensuring the use of yoursquare footage is maximized. Look for products thatare mobile, accommodate a variety of technology, andcan be adjusted to fit a broad range of users.
ANNE PETSCHEL

MOBI LE D ES K CON FIGURATIONS F OR A NY WORKSTYLEINDIV IDUAL WORKC O LLAB O R AT I O N

P R E S E N TAT I O N S

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M E ASU R I N G THE I MPACT
Indeed, employee happiness is a key factor in profitability and productivity. Investing in employee wellness helps
generate employer savings, and focusing on mental and physical well-being reinforces their competitive edge.
Managers tasked with reconfiguring offices should invest wisely in ergonomic tools designed with flexibility in mind tomeet the needs of a wide range of employees. That includes height-adjustable desks and mobile workstations.
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE OFFICES
As managers nationwide reimagine their workspaces, many are finding creative ways to go green, including investingin products that will last. In a professional environment, an annual failure rate of 5% in a 1,000-desk office can result in
replacing 50 units every year, according to Ergotron’s research. Products with safety certifications, cycle testing, andhigh-quality construction minimize costly disruptions.

QUALITY THAT LASTS
Ergotron’s professional-grade monitor arms, sit-stand desks, mobile
desks and more are known for quality construction that lasts.
Durability is key as workers adjust to sit or stand throughout the day
and reposition their monitors for different tasks. Ergotron’s extensive
quality testing under fully loaded conditions helps customers avoid
costly and disruptive replacements.

Managers looking to future-proof their purchases can demonstrate to C-suite executives the value of investing in
durable furniture. This can help make the case that although buying products from reputable manufacturers may costmore upfront, it will save time, money and headaches down the road. Choosing companies that offer long warranties
can further justify selecting products that last.

USE THIS PAYBAC K CA LC ULATOR TO
SEE HOW QUICKLY A N ERGONOMIC
WORKSTATION PAYS F OR ITSELF.

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WHAT TO LOOK F OR IN QUA LITY SOLUTIONS:

Cycle testing for

Testing under fully

Robust solutions that

Solutions with

10,000-15,000 times toloaded conditions touse professional-grade

competitive warranties

mimic real-world use

help ensure safetymaterials

Sustainability
certifications anddesignations fromnotable organizations

You’ll see people really starting to care more about
environmental consciousness and the lifecycle offurniture. We’ve already seen this in Europe, where
this is more regulated. I think this concept will affectthe entire industry—the idea that you don’t throw out
a chair or desk after two or three years. You start
thinking more responsibly about the elements in theoffice so that every six months, you don’t come up
with a new thing you have to replace.”
FLORIAN IDENBURG

It’s not just the earth that benefits. Sustainability resonates with workers, particularly among millennials andGeneration Z employees. A global Deloitte study of those groups found that two in five respondents have rejected ajob or assignment because it did not align with their values. Business decision makers can incorporate eco-friendly
measures by choosing long-lasting yet flexible office equipment and decor to maintain a functional, aestheticallypleasing workplace that appeals to employees and is cost-effective over time.

Rethinking Workplace Design22

H IG H E R P E R FOR MI N G WOR KPLAC ES POSITIV ELY IMPACTOR GAN IZ ATI ON AL OU TCOMES
92% of workers said being in the office positively impacted their productivity.

Highest Performing Workplace

Lowest Performing Workplace

100%
91%

88%

92%

90%

92%

48%
41%

41%

92%

90%

44%

46%

91%

49%

92%

50%

92%

51%

92%

54%

52%

36%

0%

Personal
health &well-being

Careeradvancement

Work/life
balanceJobsatisfaction

Connection
to yourcompany

Speed ofdecisionmakingPersonal
productivity

Quality ofyour team’s
work orservicesSenseof being
includedTeam’sproductivity

Relationships
withcolleagues

DO E R G O N OMI C S OLU TI ON S A ND TOOLS INCREASE A C OMPA NY’S RO I?
To measure ROI, use OSHA’s tools before reconfiguring your office to help determine how much your company ispaying in workplace injuries—many of which can be attributed to poor office setups and the absence of ergonomic
equipment. This benchmark can be checked and rechecked after six months, a year, and several years, to determine
how the new equipment is boosting productivity and more importantly, helping keep employees safe and happy.

Learn how much workplace injuries are costing yourbusiness with OSHA’s Safety Pays tool and calculator:
Estimated Costs of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
and Estimated Impact on a Company’s Profitability

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I MP L E M E N TI N G TR AI N I N G & EDUCATION
After managers create an adaptable, comfortable, and future-proofed office space, the work begins to help
employees understand and appreciate the space. That way, they can learn how to make the best use of the office formeaningful and productive in-person experiences.
Many managers have already extensively surveyed employees to understand what they value, so chances arethey’re aware of the pending change. But it’s important to explain the new equipment and layout, and the reasons
they were chosen. Provide tips for employees so they can easily learn how to use their new equipment. Giving
employees information on concepts like the Ergonomic Equation to help them understand how the right balance of
posture, motion and rest can help them fully maximize this new office experience.
To fully realize the benefits of these products, managers should provide employees with the tools to properly set-up
and use their equipment.

Providing employee training and outfitting
workstations with products that are intuitive to use
and easy to adjust ensures both employees andemployers get the maximum benefit of
the investment.”
ANNE PETSCHELRethinking Workplace Design

24

Creating office engagements like a lunchand-learn to train employees how to use thenew equipment can be effective in helping
them use office furniture properly and foster
collaboration. Managers can then continue
to remind employees of the following points
so they can maximize productivity. Somesuggestions from Ergotron’s “Sit and Stand
Playbook for Business Leaders” include:•

Teach employees about the many
benefits of an ergonomic and active
workstyle.

•

Help employees overcome any negative
assumptions and connect with meaningful,intrinsic reasons for participating in the
program.

•

Ask managers and leaders for ongoingsupport, communicating their commitment
to an active workstyle and proactively
fostering an active company culture.

OF F I C E M A N AG ER I MPLEMEN TATION C HECKLISTHold an official kickoff to announce the

Recognize thought leaders who focus

program and get employees excitedon wellness

Share the goals and how each goal will

Save time for questions and dialogue

be measured
Create a new participant packet with theProvide participation instructions andsame information for future employee

additional educational opportunities

onboarding

Source: Ergotron eBook: “Sit and Stand Playbook for Business Leaders”

Rethinking Workplace Design

Manager Tips to Support a
Healthy Working Environment

Tip 1: Movement reminders

The most crucial factor in ergonomic working is supporting various
postures and interrupting sedentary time. Encourage employees to readjust
throughout the day.

Tip 2: Make it personalShow employees the advantages of using height-adjustable worksurfaces.

Tip 3: Posture check

Invite them to use a workspace assessment tool to check if they have a goodworking posture.

Tip 4: Check in with your employees
Personalized attention is necessary no matter how many tools you give

employees. Ergotron’s research found that 63% of employees do not have amanager who regularly checks on how they are doing.

Source: Ergotron White Paper: “How to Facilitate Shared and Flexible Workspaces”

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Conclusion
No one can be sure what the office of the future will look like, but the foundational workspace shifts of the past few
years will most likely persist. As work needs and spaces evolve, so will employee requirements. Employees value
flexibility but want functional, collaborative spaces with quiet areas when they are at the office.
By creating spaces that adapt to evolving work needs and individual working styles, businesses can create humancentered, flexible spaces that employees appreciate and seek out. As companies resize, they can do a better job offacilitating dynamic, ergonomic spaces that support employee productivity and connections.
Managers looking to balance flexible work with future uncertainty can help mitigate costly investments by assessing(and reassessing) employee needs, and by choosing sustainable, durable furnishings that are adaptable for the
future of work.

AB OU T E R G OTR ON
Ergotron, Inc. is a global company focused on improving how people work, learn, play and care for others. Usinghuman-centered design principles and the Technology of Movement™, Ergotron builds products and custom solutions
that help people thrive in healthcare, education and contract furniture environments, and in office settings, both athome and on-site.
Through its 40-year history, Ergotron has served as an innovative industry leader known for professional-grade
products and customer-obsessed service. The company has earned more than 200 patents and establisheda growing portfolio of award-winning brands including WorkFit®, CareFit™, LearnFit® and JŪV™. Ergotron is
headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a presence in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more
information, please visit www.ergotron.com.