A group of millennial workers stand at work Keeping employees happy and healthy increases productivity and helps your company succeed. As Millennials and Generation Z step to the forefront of the workforce, employers are finding that this generation of workers has different needs and expectations than their parents. While the tech-savviness of today’s young employees can benefit their work, allowing them to adapt to new technologies quickly, it may also lead them to perform less physical activity. These generations not only rely on digital devices in their personal lives, but many enter jobs where they use devices while sitting for most of the day. This sedentary behavior creates a number of health risks, including the risk of workplace injuries such as strains, back problems, and repetitive motion injuries. Neck pain is becoming more common in younger people, often spurred by staring at a computer or other digital screens for hours each day. Millennials now make up 35% of the U.S. working population — the largest generational segment currently in the workforce. Following on their heels, the oldest members of Generation Z (born after 1996) have reached working age and now represent 5% of the U.S. working population. What can you do provide a healthier workspace to the new generation of workers? Here are some key tips to implement in your work environment.

Embrace Ergonomic Design

Ergonomically designed spaces can help mitigate the risk of injury for employees working long hours in sedentary jobs. Such spaces include proper placement of furniture and computer accessories to eliminate unnecessary strain on the body. Implementing ergonomic furniture such as adjustable or active sitting chairs is an important step. The Herman Miller® Aeron® Office Chair looks like a standard office chair, but offers many adjustable parts — such as height control, tilt, lumbar support, and adjustable arm rests so the user can conform it to their body’s needs. A kneeling chair encourages good posture and takes strain off the lower back. Ergonomic wrist rests also can help reduce strain on the wrists and hands. It’s not enough to just provide ergonomic chairs and accessories. Make sure your employees know how to use their ergonomically designed workspaces and furniture correctly. You can provide training or resources to employees to help them make the most of their workstations and avoid injury at the workplace.

Incorporate Flexibility

Take ergonomics a step further by making your workspaces more flexible. Adding adjustable standing desks to workstations is a popular choice. Your workers can alternate sitting and standing during the day to avoid the strain of remaining in one position for too long. Even better: make workstations portable and create multiple zones within your office space where employees can work. The ability to get a quick change of scene by moving from a cubicle to a communal table for a while can help employees avoid falling into a monotonous and unproductive routine. These steps could be part of an overall wellness plan to encourage employees to maintain healthy habits.

Use Playful Colors and Natural Light

When you picture an office, do you imagine a color scheme that mostly consists of gray or beige under fluorescent lights? Offices don’t have to be so dull. If possible, create an office layout that gives employees a view of windows that provide natural light. One study found that workers who had windows in their offices got an average of 46 more minutes of sleep per night than their coworkers without windows in their offices. Those who were exposed to natural light during the workday also tended to exercise more. Invest in LED lights to provide proper office illumination without the flickering or yellowed glare of fluorescents. And ditch the boring colors to add a little personality. Many types of ergonomic furniture come in a variety of playful colors, so you can add visual excitement to your surroundings. Looking for attractive and practical ergonomic furniture to keep your workers happy and healthy? The Back Store offers a wide variety of supportive office furniture, so you can find pieces to fit any space. Contact us to learn more about our ergonomic designs.