Performance

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 – How Oral Care Relates to Productivity, and vice versa

Colgate Total toothpaste, toothbrush
Make time to take care of your whole mouth – a gateway to good health.

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 the next five blog posts, I’ll share the benefits of each one.

In my Productivity model, Productivity CPR™, the P stands for Performance which is all about taking care of the human animal that is you.

According to the Mayo Clinic, your oral health can affect your overall health and among other consequences may contribute to cardiovascular disease and, in pregnancy, may even lead to premature deliveries and low birth weights.

We know that regular flossing and brushing are a necessary part of maintaining good oral hygiene. But there’s more to think about.

 

Staying mindful and paying proper attention when you brush can make a difference to the effectiveness of your efforts and pay back with more comfortable visits to the dentist! Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

1. Duration

Spend two minutes brushing your teeth. Set a timer if you think you’re not spending enough time. I tend to walk around while I’m brushing my teeth…it makes the time go by in a more interesting way. Or choose a favourite song as a tooth brushing anthem and get your groove on while you’re brushing!

 

2. Coverage

It’s important to brush each side of your teeth with equal attention. I spoke with an endodontist recently who recommended that if you’re right-handed, to pay more attention to how you brush the teeth on the right side of your mouth. And vice versa. Because of ergonomics, you might be naturally giving some areas of your mouth less attention than they deserve. Consider switching hands when you switch the sides of your mouth you’re brushing to always be brushing the opposite side.

 

3. Intensity

Be careful not to brush too hard to avoid abrasion of both the enamel and the gums. 1 Stay conscious of the pressure. This can also be helped by brushing with your non-dominant hand. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, listen to the sound of the motor as it will change with increased pressure. Use the sounds a guide to ensure you’re brushing with a light enough touch.

 

4. Feature-rich Toothpaste

Colgate Total has been around for over 20 years now and recently updated their formula to include even more benefits for your whole mouth – teeth, cheeks, gums and tongue. The new Colgate Total  formula fights bacteria to keep breath fresh, reduces plaque, and fights tarter and gingivitis. It also strengthens enamel, fights cavities, and builds a protective layer over sensitive areas of teeth while delivering stain reduction and prevention.

 

5. Floss

For my entire life, I’ve been an inconsistent flosser.  According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, I am not alone. Only 28% of Canadians floss at least 5 times a week versus 73% who brush twice a day.2 I remember my dentist trying to motivate me as a teenager, telling me he would take pictures of my teeth if I flossed. I have been blessed with Class 1 occlusion, otherwise known as “perfect bite”, which naturally makes for great pics. Unfortunately, his invitation did not motivate me in the slightest!

For me, the trick to flossing regularly is to keep the floss visible and make it more comfortable to use. Good thing there are new products available which are eco-friendly and pretty on the countertop.

 

6. Portable Picks

I carry a small case of toothpicks with me in my Personal Care Kit to handle the urgent feeling that comes with any morsel of food jammed between my teeth, which proves to be a huge distraction.

 

Sources:

  1. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/threats-to-dental-health/tooth-enamel-repair-approaches-0915

 

  1. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/reports-publications/oral-health/canadian-health-measures-survey.html

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, we should talk.

Book a Discovery Call to learn more about a range of engaging talks and effective coaching.

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

Spring Clearing Series – Comfort Drives Productivity – How to Banish Dry Eye

This post is sponsored. As always, all 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 “Spring Clearing” series of blog posts, I’ll share the benefits of each one.

In my Productivity CPR™ model, the “P” in CPR stands for Performance which is all about taking care of the human animal that is you. The goal? To preserve your energy and attention so you can bring both to your intentions.

Within Performance, there are eight Productivity Table Stakes™ which need to be present in your life for maximum performance. One is “Comfort”. If you’re not feeling comfortable, it is highly likely your mind is diverting attention to what is irritating you, at least for some of the time. Think of a hot, humid day or sitting in an airplane seat which the small child, or in the case of my last flight, a rather tall man is behind you is constantly poking. Or how about that feeling of having something stuck in your eye?

 

Systane Complete eye drop bottle and box
Systane Complete is the one-stop drop to take care of Dry Eye.

What is Dry Eye?

According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, Dry Eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears that your eyes do produce do not have the right chemical composition. Tears are necessary to lubricate the eyes, keeping them comfortable, and maintaining clear vision.  I am one of over 30% of Canadians suffer from Dry Eye, with it affecting more women than men.

 

What causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye can be caused by a number of factors. Here are some of the most common:

  1. Age – as you get older it is natural to produce fewer tears
  2. Environment – smoke, wind and dry climates can trigger greater evaporation of tears
  3. Activities – reading on a screen or watching tv for lengthy periods may result in less blinking
  4. Chemistry – Some medications and hormonal changes may interfere with tear production

 

What are the symptoms of Dry Eye?

For the past few years, I’ve suffered gritty, scratchy eyes and sometimes there’s a burning feeling. I’ve often felt like there was something in my eye. I learned from my optometrist that these are symptoms of Dry Eye. Last year, I also experienced a few minutes of blurry vision a handful of times (which totally freaked me out).  Thankfully my vision corrected on its own after a few minutes, but it always left me with a feeling of worry. I had no idea until recently that blurry vision is also a symptom of Dry Eye. Excessive tearing can also be a natural body response to soothe the irritation.

 

What can you do about dry eye?

A few years ago, my optometrist confirmed I had Dry Eye and recommended I take artificial tears to add lubrication. Since there is more than one kind of dry eye, from not enough tear production to tear evaporation or a mixture of the two, it’s important to have the right drops on hand. Thankfully it’s easier than ever now that Systane Complete, an over-the-counter remedy, is available as it treats all three types. Each drop spreads a mixture of moisture and lipids across the eye in a fast-acting yet long-lasting formula.

In some cases, prescription eye drops may be recommended, or even plugging the tear ducts to prevent tears leaving the eye. Systane Omega-3 Supplements have been proven to help in the prevention and treatment of Dry Eye.  Ignoring Dry Eye could lead to eye infections or tissue damage.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s worth a visit to your optometrist to find the right solution for you.

 

SOURCES

https://cnib.ca/en/sight-loss-info/your-eyes/eye-diseases/dry-eye?region=on

https://opto.ca/health-library/dry-eye

https://eyewire.news/articles/alcon-introduces-systane-complete-solution-for-dry-eye/

 

I work with organizations who want to achieve their objectives and protect their people from disengagement and burnout. It’s all about inspiring leaders and their teams to cultivate sustainable performance.

Book a Discovery Call to learn more about a range of engaging talks and effective coaching.

 

Spring Clearing Series – Breathe easier with clean indoor air!

honeywell air purifier
The Honeywell HPA100 True HEPA Air Purifier with Allergen Remover cleans your indoor air which can often be more polluted than the air outside. This post is sponsored by Honeywell. As always, opinions are my own.

I had the pleasure of traveling 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 the next five blog posts, I’ll share the benefits of each one.

 

In my model for sustainable performance, Productivity CPR™, the P stands for Performance which is all about taking care of the human animal that is you.

 

Because it’s invisible, it’s easy to ignore the air that is all around us, but did you know that according to the Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air can often be 2-5 times, more polluted than outdoor air. 1

[Read more…] about Spring Clearing Series – Breathe easier with clean indoor air!

Get Up, Stand Up! How to Choose a Standing Desk

Get Up, Stand Up! How to Choose a Standing Desk

I’ll bet you’ve heard the phrase, “sitting is the new smoking.” It has been kicking around for a few years now. When sitting, our metabolism slows dramatically and this can be linked to increases in a myriad of health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even early death as brought to life in this infographic. Sitting is also a drag on productivity. This well-done TED-Ed video explains the impact on your body.

On-trend to help mitigate the effects of lengthy periods of sitting are walking meetings, fitness monitoring devices, “sweatworking,” and the increasing popularity of standing desks.

I had been exploring standing desks for some time given as I have a long-standing interest in workstation ergonomics, but it wasn’t until I started developing lower back pain that I decided to get serious about researching options.

Here are some of the points you might consider if you’re thinking of swapping out your typical desk for a standing desk.

Replacing Desk Storage

I have not yet seen standing desks that include attached storage (though if redesigned, they could!). My existing desk came with three regular drawers, a file drawer and a cabinet which provided ample storage for office supplies, paper and reference material.

Get Up, Stand Up! How to Choose a Standing Desk

For a smooth process and to avoid lingering piles you will want to figure out homes for items like these before you purchase your new desk. Any time you make a change, it’s a perfect opportunity to edit your belongings. Following the Four Step P.L.A.N. to Get Organized™, Liberating possessions comes before Arranging them. I culled some office supplies, archived files in this process, and found homes for remaining items in cabinets and drawers in other furniture pieces in my office.

Consider relocating those items to a rolling desk cabinet with drawers, filing cabinets, or shelving. You may also want to have a few supplies right on your desk for quick access. I kept my pencil cups and added a drawer organizer which can be put away if necessary.

Selecting Your Desk
Improvised standing desk using the top of a chest of drawers.

Selecting Your Desk

Should it be a standing desk only? No. Standing all day presents another set of stresses on the body. Ideally, you will want to be able to switch between sitting and standing based on the tasks you wish to complete and for comfort. The ability to raise and lower the work surface or to move between a sitting workstation and a standing one is critical. For convenience and because of space constraints, for most people, a combination sit-stand desk will be the best choice. If you’re not sure, then test out working standing up by using a countertop, chest of drawers, or cabinet of appropriate height.

My experience: I have found that I spend about equal amounts of time sitting and standing. For creative writing, I tend to feel more comfortable sitting. However, tasks such as scanning, which require multiple trips between the computer and the scanner are much more comfortable when standing. I used to loathe scanning and now don’t find it nearly as tedious. The same goes for filing. I often talk about taking speed bumps out of your day to increase flow. I hadn’t realized how much I disliked the physics of scanning from my office chair.

What this means for you: Listen to your body while completing different tasks. Have someone photograph you at your desk so you can examine your posture. Notice how often you naturally get up and move. Just because someone recommends getting up and moving every 20 minutes, doesn’t mean you’ll do it. These pieces of information will inform your choices about when to sit and when to stand.

Should you retrofit your existing desk or replace it?

It depends on how you work and what you work with. You can choose to add a device to your current desk that raises and lowers your computer. The Varidesk is an example of models that are available in the market. While this option is generally less expensive, it presents a more limited work surface and is visually busy. Alternatively, you can choose to replace your desk with a sit-stand model in which the whole surface of the desk moves.

My experience: I chose to replace my desk with a sit-stand desk. I thought about what I would want to have on my work surface. I use a corded phone, task light, desk calendar, speakers for my sound system, and often have paper files and materials on my desk surface, all of which I wanted to raise with the computer.

What size desk do you need?

You’ll want to pay careful attention to the space you have available in the room. Make sure the desk fits in your space without compromising traffic flow and offers an adequate surface for the work you do. Remember to allow space for the chair elsewhere when you’re standing at the desk.

My experience: I have found benefit in increasing the depth of my desk from 24″ to 31″. My phone, light, office supplies, and computer screens fit comfortably at the back of the desk and allow more space at the front to hold papers, a cup of tea, and a timer.

What else should you consider?

Move Mechanism: If you’re going to enjoy using the desk, look for one that raises and lowers smoothly. Older and less expensive models have hand cranks that may be challenging to turn. You don’t have to pay a lot for an electric-powered version. It’s similar to the difference between manual and electric windows in a car. If you choose a hand crank version, be sure you are able to use it easily.

Cable Management: Don’t be fooled by marketing pictures. Those cords have to go somewhere! Also, make sure the cords are long enough to reach the outlet when the desk is at its maximum and minimum height.

Range of Motion: Make sure the desk raises high enough to use comfortably. I’m 5’4″ with long legs and when standing I keep the desk around 40″ to keep my wrists flat. When sitting and using my computer, I have the desk at about 27″, lower than my traditional desk which had a lower keyboard tray. I also like that I can adjust the desk to a height that my kids are comfortable using. It’s a desk for the whole family.

Load Capacity: How much weight can the desk support? This is important if you will be working with heavier equipment or plan to lean on the desk.

Finish: As with any desk, the choice of surface is a personal preference, however, I will share that switching from a pine desk to a white laminate has significantly brightened the office.

Ease of Assembly: If assembly is required, make sure you have what you need to build the desk. I am not a very handy person, but I considered it a win that I was able to assemble my desk myself. Some retailers will offer installation and assembly at an additional charge.

Price: As standing desks have increased in popularity, prices have decreased. I paid $600 CDN for my desk which has electronic controls.

Reviews: For a comprehensive review of options, check out The Wirecutter. Their review of the IKEA Bekant was preliminary when I reviewed the site. For its sturdiness, smooth movement, range of motion, and price, I think it’s the best value out there.*

Selecting Your Desk

My findings

After about six weeks of using my standing desk, I can definitively say that it is a huge improvement over a regular desk. I not only value the ability to change my position effortlessly, but I also appreciate the airiness that is achieved with the desk’s clean, crisp, white, and simple design. I would have not imagined adding a larger work surface would make my office feel bigger!

* Note: I purchased the IKEA Bekant desk and have not been compensated for my comments.

PRODUCTIVITY TRUTH: Sitting can be a drag on productivity. Standing desks can give you the boost you need.

Book a discovery call with Clare? Click here to contact me.