Comfort

Hold that door….! Opportunities to Improve Accessibility are Closer Than You Think

half open service elevator door

Have you ever thought about how long an elevator’s doors ought to stay open? I have thought about this several times over the past few years and just wrote a long overdue email to property management in my condo.

Beyond the uncluttered views of this lakeside condo, I chose to move here for single-floor living and easy-to-access amenities (if visiting, you can pick up dinner, wine, and chocolate right downstairs!) because I was afraid of how multiple sclerosis (MS) might rear its head. Having had four attacks in as many years, the last one inviting me to walk with a 15-year old baby-stroller for support (the stroller came with cargo space and I was happier to look liked I’d misplaced a child more than that I needed a walker 🤔), I had definitely noticed that the elevator doors closed very quickly but never thought to do anything about it.

That was until I came to know a fellow resident who experiences MS more severely than I do. My friend – let’s call her Jean, rolls in a wheelchair or scooter. Several months ago, we chatted about the challenge she faced because of the quick-closing elevator doors. I decided that I would write to our board to request they be slowed down. Since then, I have noted many times when I would have benefitted from extra time.  Any time I have heavy shopping bags, or new planters for the patio that I have to set down while I’m waiting for the elevator, I need more time to be able to pick them up and get to the available car. I have also spoken with a few residents who agreed that it would be helpful.

Today, I decided to start investigating what we are dealing with and what, if anything is legislated.

First, I timed the door:
a) 2.4 seconds to open
b) 2.5 seconds fully open
c) 2.8 seconds to close

Then, I measured the distance from the elevator call button in my hallway to the furthest elevator. Over 12 feet (3.66 m).

Have a look at just how quick it is…

I started to investigate regulations that should inform what we do. I keep hearing about accessibility legislation so didn’t think it would be very difficult.

Not so fast.

Yes, we have the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, established in 2006 and as of today, adopted by 183 nations, one of which is Canada.

But what do we have in my country of Canada, my province of Ontario, and my city of Toronto to help guide us? After all, jurisdiction matters if you want to look to legislation as a lever. From a building code perspective, the provinces determine what we must do for safety but touch lightly on accessibility. One recent change, for example, is that sensors must not only detect what is between the doors, they must detect an approaching object. I could find no mention of door opening time. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is slowly building standards to which organizations with over 50 people must adhere. Accessibility, it seems, is left to the cities to guide and these guidelines vary. In a condo, you are at the mercy of the condo board.

Here’s some of what I found:

The U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act standards of 2010 state that elevator doors must be open for a minimum of 5 seconds. It offers a formula to augment that duration based on the distance one would need to travel to reach the door after pressing a call button. In this case, 8 seconds would be warranted. Brock University and the City of London (Ontario) stipulate 8 seconds without regard to distance.

The City of Toronto’s 2021 Accessibility Design Guidelines have simpler guidance: “Have a minimum period of 5 seconds before the doors start to close if it is a hall call, and 3 seconds if it is a car call.” The hall call assumes that 2 seconds will enable you to cover whatever the distance is to the elevator. It also does not clarify if this is from the start of the doors opening or from the doors being fully open.

I’m curious to see what action will be taken. Torontonians are known for being impatient and often in a rush so I expect that there will be some resistance to making a shift. In fact, the city worker I spoke to suggested the sensors should take care of it because they would sense a body or wheelchair in the way of the doors. So not good enough! Why should someone have to sense doors closing on them as a matter of course?

Many changes have been made to improve accessibility that benefit far more than folks in wheelchairs. Take the curb cuts I talked about with Peter Shankman in episode 19 of the Happy Space Podcast, for example.

I invite you to notice what is inaccessible in your world and consider what small steps you might take to open the world up a little for those who face barriers.

I’ll keep you posted on what the board says by updating this post when I have an answer and also by sharing it in my monthly missive, “the museletter”. Sign up here to stay in the know.

In the meantime, go be an ally. We will all benefit.

 

 

How to find more productive places to work from home

Rolling cart by kitchen table as desk

(This post is sponsored by Samsung Canada and Staples Canada. All opinions – and the cat – are my own.)

With more people working and studying from home because of the pandemic, our home study spaces can be seriously under pressure. Nothing is more stressful than having everyone dive into the office for the coveted, quiet spot in the house at the same time.

I’ve got three tips for you to take the pressure off! Better understanding what each person has to do should help you expand the variety of suitable places to work in your home and help confirm the need for any additional furniture or technology to support you.

Step One – Complete a task audit.

Take some time to think through each person’s commitments and specifically what kinds of activities they will undertake. It can be helpful to think through these tasks in three categories:

a) Consumption – Taking in new information by reading, listening, or watching.

b) Creation – Making new works on a computer or with paper, music, food, or other materials

c) Collaboration – Working with others

Prepare an inventory of all tasks including such activities such as attending online classes, reviewing notes, drawing, colouring, podcasting, writing on a whiteboard, reading, and meeting with others (virtually or socially distanced), and of course, mind wandering.

For each task, identify the technology or materials that will support you in accomplishing your task. Technology is always innovating and often the improvements can drive a significant productivity boost. Samsung Canada sent me two products in their lineup to try out.

A more powerful tablet

It used to be that tablets were ideal for consuming information but a challenge when it came to creating. Since my first tablet, about ten years ago, tablets have evolved dramatically. I remember feeling so liberated by the tablet which I could use while reclining after a car accident left me unable to sit at my desk for the second half of the day. But there was a lot I couldn’t do.

Clare sitting on sofa using Samsung tablet with S pen

The brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ with its 12.4-inch display (and its smaller 11-inch sister, the Galaxy Tab S7) combines the power of a pc with the portability of a tablet. To be released in Canada on September 18th, 2020 both tablets will be available just as classes are starting across the country.

 

Tablet showing a written description of the benefits of the S pen - low latency, helpful haptic and precision point

Both versions come with an “S” pen, which Samsung also refers to as a “magic wand”. That made me curious! Since high school, I have enjoyed hand-writing my notes but so far haven’t tried an electronic solution that felt as comfortable as writing in a regular paper notebook. Not only do old habits die hard, there are studies that show handwriting improves memory retention(1) in part because there is more time to think while writing than typing. And if you’re sharing your notes, you can convert your writing text for easier readability.

Latency, the delay for the image to show up while writing, has been reduced to a hard-to-notice 9 ms – and the haptic of friction and sound while writing now means that taking notes on a tablet provides an experience which closely mirrors the feeling of writing on paper. It feels good.

What about the magic? The “S” pen includes sensors that detect motion enabling shortcuts for your workflow and a click button which offers remote control for your camera and presentations.

Enjoy a better, brighter screen

Have you ever been working on a laptop outside and been frustrated because it was difficult to see the screen? Samsung has brought the QLED technology pioneered in its television lineup to laptops for a portable cinematic viewing quality.

Galaxy Book Ion on a patio chair showing the easy to see screen
QLED stands for quantum dot LED (light-emitting diode). According to CNET, “Quantum dots are microscopic nanocrystals that glow a specific wavelength (i.e. color) when given energy.”(2) It’s this extra light that gives the screen a brightness boost making it easy to see in the most illuminated rooms. An “Outdoor Mode” kicks the light up even further with a function key.
First introduced in May 2020, the Galaxy Book Ion is a beautifully crafted, sleek and slim, less-than-a-kilogram light laptop with a battery that will carry you through your day and then some. The extra bright screen and easy portability open up more workspace possibilities.

Step Two – Pick a posture.

Comfort is a key ingredient for maximum productivity and performance. If we are uncomfortable, it is a real-time distraction and what I call “energy thief” and can also be the beginnings of a long-term injury. Paying attention to the ergonomics of each environment for each person cannot be overlooked and one size does not fit all. That said, there are more options than you might think for working effectively. Here are some thoughts to consider.

a) Sitting

Student desk, chair and office supplies
Photo: Staples Canada

Let’s tackle the most obvious work posture first. Whether at a desk or a table, make sure your wrists are flat when using your keyboard. This might mean raising the chair. If your feet are now dangling, add a footrest. A footrest not only supports your legs, it helps keep you sitting properly with your lower back against the back of the chair. If you are not feeling the chair back when fully in the seat, add a pillow or lumbar support. Note that women have deeper curves in their lumbar area of the spine and will likely need more support than men.

If you’re using a computer for longer than an hour, invest in a separate wireless keyboard and mouse, as well as a laptop stand to place the screen at a more comfortable viewing height and distance. Your neck will thank you.

Staples Canada has many affordable chair and desk options to choose from. If you’ve been struggling to make do, it could be time to create another workstation to keep everyone comfortable.

b) Standing
Create standing workstations to not only ease the pressure on your sitting stations and on your backs! When setting up a standing station, follow the guidance above with respect to flat wrists while keyboarding and placing the screen in the right place. An anti-fatigue mat (or what I use, a pair of cork-soled Birkenstocks) will keep you more comfortable, as will the use of a footrest to raise one leg, keeping your lower spine happy.

c) Moving
Research from Stanford University confirms that creativity increases significantly while you’re walking (3)…and shortly afterward, no matter whether it’s indoors or out. Think about what can be accomplished while walking. Voice recording your thoughts is a wonderful way to capture new ideas.

Reclining on a sofa using a tablet

d) Reclining
Though reclining during the day has the air of appearing unprofessional to some, we may be compromising our most profound thinking in what I call “Mind Wandering” time. It’s also the perfect posture when you want to relax and take some pressure off your spine. Working from home, you’ve never been closer to a comfy sofa or your bed. Arianna Huffington, now chief of Thrive Global, and I agree, you should have places to relax and rest at work (4). It’s part of sustaining your performance. Be careful not to overdo it though and create an association with work in your bedroom as it might affect your ability to fall asleep. (5)

Step 3 – Respect preferences and privacy.

As human animals,  we have different sensitivities to our surroundings and to be most productive these need to be respected. You might not feel bothered by visual stimulation (clutter), noise, or the energy of other people, but some in your family may be. In general, it is an act of love to cater to the most sensitive amongst you.

a) Organize your space to reduce visual stimulation.

Blush coloured desk organizer
Create order on your desk, behind workspaces (for the camera) and in front to avoid distractions. Desk organizers keep supplies handy and tidy. They also save space by storing items vertically thereby using a smaller footprint.

b) Make it easy to tidy up.

Top shelf of rolling cart with desk organizer and headphones
Use a rolling cart to help create an instant office in another room. This cart with three levels has ample storage for supplies, reference materials, and healthy snacks.

c) Curate your soundscape.
We have different preferences for sounds while we work. Some love the clamour of a coffee shop, something the free version Noisli provides, along with a variety of more soothing sounds like rain, streams, and a crackling fire. Other more recently developed sites such as the straight-forwardly named Sound of Colleagues provide recordings of all sorts of office noises to help cue you to get to work…or if you’re like me, remind me just why I wanted to work from home so much in the first place. Thank goodness there was no sound of nail clipping, something one of my colleagues used to do regularly. I wish I was kidding.

For many students and workers, it is necessary to mask other sounds. Making an investment in noise-canceling headphones is your best bet to eliminate unwanted sounds as you can keep your listening volume lower. For growing kids, headphones that cap the sound volume to 85 decibels are a help. In 2015, the World Health Organization pointed out that over 1.1 billion young people may be at risk of hearing loss because of “unsafe listening practices” (6), so when you use headphones, pay attention to safe volumes.

Step 4 – Cocreate a family schedule

With all these insights and options, avoid any last-minute conflicts by discussing your needs and preferred workspaces as part of a regular #hometeam meeting. I recommend once a week, on the weekend or at the start of the week. It is an appropriate time to review your commitments and work together to help each other achieve your objectives in the most comfortable and productive places to work.

For more tips, visit www.clarekumar.com/workfromhome
And if you want to work through any of this with a coach, it would be my pleasure to assist. Good luck on the journey.

 

Sources
1. The Benefits of Handwriting
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/apr18/vol75/num07/The-Magic-of-Writing-Stuff-Down.aspx

2. Quantum Dots
https://www.cnet.com/news/quantum-dots-how-nanocrystals-can-make-lcd-tvs-better/

3. Boost Creativity While Walking
https://news.stanford.edu/2014/04/24/walking-vs-sitting-042414/

4. Rest and Recline at Work
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/thrive-nap-room-coco-mat-arianna-huffington

5. Working in the Bedroom Might Challenge Your Sleep
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting/overcoming/tips”>

6. Teens at Risk of Hearing Loss
https://globalnews.ca/news/5307570/headphones-earbuds-hearing-loss/

Turn your stash into cash – Easy steps to get rid of things you don’t want

Paid partnership with Ebay Canada. Opinions, as always, are my own.

Do you have things lying around or perhaps worse, piled up which you’ve been intending to sell? Yet, for some reason you just haven’t got around to selling them? You’re not alone!

I live in a fairly small condo and have had a large suitcase-sized bag of a few items, mostly brand new and never used that have been taking up space and nagging at me to move them along. Shortly after I moved in a few months ago I did sell a lot of organizing supplies that I no longer needed through a local marketplace, almost all of which went to one buyer. This was a good return on time invested, but other items just seemed to go nowhere and I got tired of being pitched bottom dollar amounts. In the end, I gave a few items to friends, which felt good, but it didn’t help my pocketbook.

 

I thought I’d take a closer look at what’s involved to break it down into simple steps to see what might be getting in my way, and perhaps yours. If you have a few items to sell, you have two options in following these steps to see your items:

  1. Address each step for all the items you wish to sell – effectively batching the jobs with the goal of saving time.
  2. Complete all the steps for one item at a time

I found that while batching felt like I was being effective, it meant that it delayed the ultimate sale of everything and eliminated any sense of momentum. I lost engagement in the activity, so next time I will be completing the steps item by item.

I also realized when the return on investment of resources was too small, I was much less motivated to make selling the item a priority, hence the importance of setting a time limit in Step 1.

 

The 10 Simple Steps to Selling Your Stuff

  1. Decide you’re letting go of the item and set a time limit to do so. It’s taking up space and mental energy and you can use both for better purposes. If you haven’t sold it by this date, then it’s time to donate. Be honest about what really matters to you – your Space, Time, Energy, Attention, or Money. Don’t run out of STEAM™! (More on this in another post.)
  2. Research value of item and set price. Search online to find out current market value for a similar item. Be realistic. Item values vary and may not be what you anticipated. If you’re not going to achieve the fee you desire, reevaluate the investment of resources (STEAM) you will make.
  3. Decide on the delivery area (market size) and determine shipping method and fees. The broader your delivery area, the greater your chances of selling the item.  If you decide to ship, this means taking into account packing material, time and shipping costs.  It can be advantageous to include shipping fees in your price to keep the purchase decision simple for the buyer.
  4. Gather specs. Take well-lit photos from useful angles and include measurements. Take packing material weight and dimensions as well. Keep details in a file labelled “To Sell” so you can find them if you get interrupted.
  5. Write the listing with a straightforward heading. Use the keywords shoppers will use when they search. Anticipate questions and format the listing to invite easy reading.
  6. Set terms and conditions. If meeting to exchange the item, ensure you meet in a safe public place. Decide if you will accept refunds or not.  Figure out how much time it will take you to ship the item or meet the buyer.
  7. Publish the listing on a sales platform. Decide which market place to use and respect its requirements. For the broadest reach, check out ebay, which started as an auction site and now includes the opportunity to sell for a fixed price.  It’s ideal for high value, low weight treasures. Canadians – see a great offer below.
  8. Engage with interested buyers. Be prepared to answer questions about the item…even if you have already provided the information. Not everyone reads the details.
  9. Prepare item for sale. Pack carefully to minimize movement and buffer any impact which will help keep the item from being damaged in transit.
  10. Deliver the item. Ship or hand over the item within the timeframe you have specified. If you’ll continue to use an online marketplace this is a good time to ask for a review.

I hope this helps you regain some space, reduce mental clutter and restore energy and attention, all while making you money! That’s winning x 5!

Ebay.ca offer for Canadians

Until January 5th, 2020, Canadians can take advantage of listing up to three items for which they’ll be charged no commission. Visit www.ebay.ca/sellforfree for more information.

 

 

 

 

Choose wisely in the “dark half” – Smart food choices, inspiring desk accessories and a printer worthy of display

If you’re in the northern hemisphere, in October we’re entering the “dark half”. Have you noticed the light slipping away? According to www.timeanddate.com, we receive about 3 minutes less sunlight each day. If you’re like me, this translates directly into less energy and this can hamper productivity. I want to hold onto my spark in the dark, so, it’s especially helpful to find products and services that help me do what I need to do while respecting my STEM Resources™ of Space, Time, Energy and Money.

 

1. The printer that truly respects your resources

The HP Tango printer saves space, time, energy and can even save you money, all with a much-appreciated sense of style.

Spending more time inside means we notice our surroundings that much more and if cluttered, they can cause stress. I’ve seen many home workspaces with printers that have made the room feel somewhat institutional. Not every home has the luxury of a dedicated office so it can be a huge win to find a printer that combines style and function.

sleek white printer on top of cabinet
The gorgeous lines of the HP Tango printer.

The HP Tango printer with its clean, compact, simple, and elegant design is a space saver. It fits neatly on 16” shelves and with WiFi and remote access via the HP Smart app, you can place it almost anywhere. With a choice of complementary covers, it can be integrated even further into your space.

Cork cover conceals the HP Tango printer
The HP Tango printer is cleverly concealed in this stunning cork wrap.

Check out how this cork cover complements the medium wood tones I have in my office. There is a grey linen cover available too, if that’s more your colourway.

That’s great for space, but what about time, energy and money? The HP Tango Instant Ink program has got you covered. You can subscribe to automatic ink delivery based on the number of pages you print per month. No more worrying about choosing between colour or black and white. No more running out of ink at the wrong moment. For peace of mind, flexibility is built-in as unused pages are rolled over and applied to pages in addition to your monthly allowance.

As a bonus, photos under 5×7” don’t count towards your page limit. Sweet!

In addition to your resources, HP is also respecting those of the environment. Cartridge recycling and shipping is included. You can wait to send a few cartridges back at once to minimize the number of times you ship.

Using plastic from recycled printers and other electronics, the HP Tango is made with more than 30% closed-loop recycled plastic by weight. HP Original ink cartridges are made with 48 – 73% recycled plastic, and HP-branded paper with 100% certified fiber or recycled content.

 

For more information about the HP Tango, visit this page.

For more information about the Instant Ink program, visit HP Instant Ink.

And for information on recycling cartridges, check out the HP Planet Partners program.

 

2. Add some design savvy to your desk

Finding stylish office accessories has never been easier thanks to the latest collaboration between Canadian design icon, Joe Mimran, and Staples Canada. Mixing function and fashion, here are a few treasures from the line to keep you happy at work this winter.

 

sleek office accessories in grey, silver and black

 

In this photo:

  1. Large Pad Folio in Gray – Make the best use of both technology and good old paper with this refined Pad Folio complete with integrated device stand.
  2. Keep your pens and loose change from cluttering your desk in this sturdy terrazzo organizer
  3. Focus Tip: Add a calming scent to the sophisticated ceramic diffuser to promote attention in a more comfy, less dry atmosphere.
  4. Listen to some energizing music via this cloth-covered wireless speaker

 

sleek desk clock in silver, beside ceramic black diffuser

 

5. Keeping track of time never looked so good. This sleek, silver desk clock will wow your clients for less than you think.

6. Worthy of gift-giving is this pen in a compelling combination of metal and wood in its very own metal case.

For more, search the Gry Mattr line at www. staples.ca

 

3. Making smart food choices just got easier

Eating nutritiously is important all year round, but as the temperature drops, I prefer more cooked food and shop a little differently. no name® brand foods have been in my shopping cart for years (the brand was launched in the late 70’s!) for these reasons:

  1. The products I’ve tried have consistently been of good quality.
  2. The packaging has been easy to understand and comes in handy when labelling storage containers at home.
  3. I’ve consistently saved money when compared to other brands.
bag of oats beside container the oats will be stored in
Organizing tip 1 – Transfer produce in bags into easy to manage storage containers.

 

Oats in container beside can of hot chocolate and bottle of honey to show easy to read labels
Organizing Tip 2 – Use the packaging to make a label. no name brand labels are so easy to read they make for perfect in-pantry labels, too.

But what really got me interested in working together was the launch of no name® Simple Check™ products. I first noticed the no name® Simple Check™  symbol on my favourite sour cream and onion potato chips in the spring of 2019. I thought it was just a package redesign. I’ve learned there is more to it than that.

New and old package designs to show design changes including coloured titles and the simple check symbol
The new package design on the left will be replacing that on the right.

 

New packaging is on the left with the Simple Check symbol. Colour has been added to the product names for easier recognition in the pantry, as well.

The no name® Simple Check™  symbol indicates the absence of 10 specific ingredients which I prefer not to ingest including synthetic colours, artificial flavours and monosodium glutamate (msg) I invite you to visit the Simple Check™  website to find out more.

The no name Simple Check  symbol quickly reassures me that I’m buying quality food,  eliminating the need to pull out my reading glasses, find the ingredients on a package and read through it slowly! This saves me time and aggravation and helps me make better food choices.

 

This post is sponsored by Loblaw Companies Limited, Staples Canada, and HP. As always, opinions are my own.

I work with organizations to deliver sustainable performance.  If you know of a forward-thinking company who wants to achieve objectives and help their leaders and teams avoid disengagement and burnout, book a Discovery Call to learn more about a range of engaging talks and effective coaching and consulting.

Ouch! Paying attention to comfort is about more than buying the right equipment

This post is inspired by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health’s investigation of the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Staten Island. With comfort being one of the eight Productivity Table Stakes™ in Productivity CPR™, my model for sustainable performance, it’s been a long-time concern of mine to support steady improvements in working conditions.

 

In the mid-’90s, I noticed several fellow employees walking around wearing wrist braces. It turns out the braces were to treat carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of intense and repetitive keyboard use at work.  This was a few months after my own experience with a musculoskeletal disorder  (MSD).

Unfortunately, when I was hired, HR had forgotten I was joining the company so instead of finding myself in an office, I was provided with a round table in a colleague’s larger than normal cubicle.  I crafted financial reports for about eight hours every day at this round ‘desk’ which led me to develop debilitating rotator cuff tendinitis in my right shoulder. The injury prevented me from working for a few weeks to allow my shoulder to heal. I couldn’t sleep on my right side or carry any weight on my right shoulder for over two years. (Side note – this is when I learned to use a mouse with my non-dominant hand – a worthwhile exercise for everyone to give your dominant hand a break.)

Exercise: Hold your arms out in front of you for a minute. Soon you’ll start to feel your muscles fatigue and likely some pressure on your shoulders. Imagine eight hours of uncomfortable posture.

 

1. Provide the right equipment

As technology evolves and we learn more about human comfort, we can go further to provide furniture, accessories, lighting and environmental controls to make spaces even more comfortable. In the role I described above, I would have been much more comfortable with a desk fitted with a keyboard tray. Our joints need to be supported. Using a keyboard tray that accommodates a mouse to keep both the keyboard and mouse close at hand prevents reaching and wear on your shoulder.

While it’s easy to understand the potential for injuries related to physical labour, poor practices, equipment and cultures affect our ability to perform comfortably and sustainably in our offices as well. Also noted in the World Health Organization Key Facts on musculoskeletal conditions, lower back pain is the single leading cause of disability globally. (1) We know that we sit too much yet so many sedentary jobs still exist without the opportunity for sit-stand desks that invite movement and a change in posture.

We also need to pay more attention to lighting and noise. For years, over-lighting a space was naturally prohibitive due to cost. City bylaws in Toronto only provide minimal light levels. With the evolution of inexpensive LED lighting, we now need to consider spaces that are overlit, over-stimulating and ultimately exhausting.

Noise in open-concept offices is an issue not only for the workers. Have you ever been on the end of a customer service call in which you can hear the cacophony of other calls in the background? It’s a negative experience for customers, too. Too much noise is such a concern at work, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board built a new site dedicated to bringing attention to noise challenges at work. Check out www.toneitdown.ca for examples of noise issues. The site focuses on hearing loss, but neglects to talk about stress levels related to noise which are significant in their own right. (3)

 

2. Educate, educate!

Realizing the instances of MSD noted above, which caused pain and sometimes required time off or surgery to heal, were entirely preventable ignited my avid interest in ergonomics. From then I have been keen to make sure the tasks we take on are supported by the right tools and environments. I invited leadership to go further than providing tools they had wisely invested in and encourage employee education on how to best use them. It was as if we were in a relay race in which the baton wasn’t passed on effectively.

 

We’ve come a long way since the mid-90s, but there are still gaps. In August 2019, ‘The World Health Organization reported that “musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability worldwide”.(1) More recently, a report from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health titled, “Pressure, Pain, and Productivity at Amazon” highlights a current example of recurring injuries. (2)  The report explores the consequences of tasks completed in an environment in which some of the challenges are indeed acknowledged and given some proactive attention. Yet, even though we know what to do, why are we still getting hurt?

 

3. Culture matters

A critical partner to the environment in which we work is the culture. This appears to be an issue at Amazon. In an effort to meet the commitment to deliver products in near real-time, 80% of workers report being pressured to work harder or faster. Even if we know how to work safely, if there is pressure to perform, whether internal or external, chances are we may ignore the theory and succumb to what we feel pressured to do. We need leadership as role models. If not in example because their roles require a different physical construct, certainly in terms of the attention paid to staff and in an open concern for staff comfort. Comfort on the job needs to be perceived to be imp0rtant. In the absence of such positive influences, we need greater internal fortitude, even bravery to counter this pressure, take breaks, set boundaries, make time to move and to rest.

As consumers and workers, we might want to ask ourselves what we value. Is this pace necessary? Is what it costs worthwhile? Our culture of immediate gratification and speed is raising our collective cortisol while fattening fairly few wallets. Is the race to fulfill an order worth the possibility of long term physical damage?

What has been your experience with ergonomics at work? Has it got in your way? Have challenges been well-handled? Have you had to pivot? Share with me on twitter @streamlife.

I work with organizations to deliver sustainable performance.  If you know of a forward-thinking company who wants to achieve objectives and help their leaders and teams avoid disengagement and burnout, book a Discovery Call to learn more about a range of engaging talks and effective coaching and consulting.

Sources:

  1. World Health Organization – Musculoskeletal conditions  
  2. Pressure, Pain and Productivity at Amazon
  3. TechRadar Pro – How your noisy open plan office is making you 66 percent less productive

Spring Clearing Series – An inspiring, comfortable office is a productive office

3 min read

This post is sponsored by Staples Canada. As always, opinions are my own.

I had the pleasure of touring to a few cities in Canada this spring to share ways to be more productive this season. Not only do we need to think about being productive in how we accomplish what we want to do, it pays to find solutions which are as effective and efficient as possible. I gathered a few ideas which provide one-stop shopping or deliver complete solutions for you, and in this five blog series, I’ll share the benefits of each one.

 

Happier workers are more productive

As you might imagine, several studies1 validate the premise that happier workers are more productive. In fact, somewhere between 10 and 20% more productive. One analysis suggests that “Workplaces with ‘very satisfied’ employees had higher labour productivity, higher quality of output, and higher overall performance.”2 In fact, small shifts in well-being are directly correlated to big shifts in performance.3

 

Productivity can be pretty. Standout supplies from Staples Canada.

 

So, what keeps people happy at work?

Our happiness is influenced by a wide variety of things including

  1. personal experience – core beliefs and values, genetics, age, gender, personality, temperament and preferences, and health
  2. family and social circumstance
  3. what happens while at work – the people, events, culture, and environments involved

Digging further into happiness at work there are a huge number of influencers including role clarity, value alignment, relationships with colleagues, the level of autonomy we experience, the opportunity for personal growth, and the physical office environment. Most people work best in a well-organized, inspiring space.

 

3 ways to create a productive and pleasing workspace

1. Personalize Your Space

Choosing decorative and functional elements in palettes and finishes that reflect your personal tastes can make your workspace more inviting. Staples Canada, rebranding in early 2019 as “The Working and Learning Company”, understands that.

Crayon bar at Staples Canada, University Avenue, Toronto.

Pop into the flagship store in downtown Toronto, and you’ll find a bright, airy, membership-based co-working space, auditorium and invitingly laid out shopping experience. Explore the venue to find a robust stationery section complete with an ample selection of journals, pen bar, and inviting bins of crayons in a multitude of colours. You can’t miss the full-service print shop and a significant “Tech Discovery Zone”.

 

What really stands out though are the office space vignettes. Staples has partnered with design icon Joe Mimran to create 10 stylish Workspaces from colourful to retro to a gamer’s dream, making it easier for you to picture what you might create in your space. Here are a couple of examples:

 

white desk, white chair, black floor lamp, black desk lamp, wall clock
The “Keep It Simple” office vignette at Staples Canada

 

 

white desk, black chair, coral office storage, wall clocks, umbra hook
The vibrant “Live In Colour” office vignette at Staples Canada

 

As you might guess from the way I dress and the way I decorated my condo, I love colour with a bit of glam. Here are a few treasures I picked to show off on tour:

Swingline Stapler

 

white and gold stapler
Swingline stapler, so elegant in white and gold.

 

Nifty Keyboard

pink keyboard with raised keys
This pretty in pink keyboard from Nifty makes keyboarding practice more fun.

 

Poppin creates an assortment of desk accessories to get you both organized and energized.

Turquoise file sorter

 

file sorter turquoise
Energizing turquoise Poppin document holder.

 

 

Gold Pencil pouch

gold pencil case
Dazzling gold Poppin pencil pouch

2. Green it up!

Studies of offices in the UK and The Netherlands revealed that plants in the office boosted productivity up to 15% while increasing both engagement and satisfaction. 4

plants in office space
Adding plants is a low-cost way to improve the quality of your workspace.

 

Earlier this week I visited a branch of a major bank. There was plenty of brand-based colour but little else that might have been deemed decorative in the space. It lacked soul. I commented that plants would be a lovely addition and the teller pointed to a vertical bundle of brown twigs a few feet away proclaiming, “We have sticks!” Adding plants is a fairly small upfront investment and with a little nurturing can bring continuous healthy energy to your space.

3. Keep your space comfortable

There has been significant debate recently about open versus closed offices, or what I prefer, mixed space environments. As a highly sensitive person, noisy and visually stimulating environments are quite exhausting to me, so as soon as it was possible, I chose to work more of the time from home. Being able to craft my work environment was a huge benefit to me and left me with more energy at the end of the day I could choose to invest in personal wellness, my family or other interests.

 

Clare Kumar at desk in tidy organized home office
Working from a well-organized home office makes for a productive lifestyle.

 

A study reveals that females prefer more light than males. There are also differences in the appreciation of noise and temperature with women preferring higher temperatures and less noise. Yet, there is no variance in preferences for formal / information working environments and the need for mobility. Recommendations from the study suggest that those crafting spaces pay attention to the demographics of their work environments and encourage responding to the needs of those using the space. 5

 

Sources

 

  1. The Connection between happiness and productivity
  2. Worker well-being and performance
  3. Small Shifts in well-being boost performance
  4. Benefits of Plants
  5. Office Innovations to improve happiness and productivity

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