Worksite International Blog

The budget process is an annual or monthly endeavor for companies to plan for purchases, services, and staff needs. However, one important cost allocation is routinely missing. 

Often, I’ll hear prospects shopping for ergonomics services say, “We don’t have a budget for ergonomics.”

Sadly, most employers don’t have a line item or planned budget for ergonomics programs and training. Yet doing so would make tremendous sense, given our reliance on technology, remote work, and the exposure to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) associated with prolonged sitting and computer use.

What does your employee's ergonomics journey look like?

Every organization who has an ergonomics program that offers ergonomics evaluations creates a journey for its employees. What does your employee ergonomics journey look like? 

Our new way of working requires a new way to lead.

Leadership is a hot topic. That's because we need B.R.A.V.E. leaders when times are challenging. With the growing focus on health, safety, and well-being in the workplace, it's the perfect time to elevate the need for ergonomics as a leadership driven change management strategy that addresses the way we work today. 

Our New Way of Working Requires a New Way of Leading

We are never going back to how we were! While this is the nature of progress, the pandemic accelerated change in ways we never imagined. It brought to the surface humanity's need to change quicker than any of us could conceive. Everything we do is now altered including how we communicate, socialize, shop, travel, use healthcare, and technology. Every facet of our lives - especially work - is different. 

Are you taking a transactional approach to ergonomics?

Let me explain. 

Many employers take a transactional approach to their ergonomics program, buying ergonomics services as needed in reaction to a situation or employee concern. It is the most common way employers consume ergonomics.

What the Experts Say

The pandemic is unfortunately here to stay for at least two more years says Toolie Garner, a remote leadership expert. Toolie and I spoke recently where she indicated it will literally take the entire world getting vaccinated before the pandemic slows. New variants will continue to emerge and air travel makes it easy for the virus variants to spread globally.

Are You a Goal Setter? 

Goals are meaningless without a plan that sets out how you will achieve them. If you want to achieve a certain goal, then you must build a path toward that goal. Goal-setting helps to prioritize your workload, build good habits so you can make everyday count. This blog focuses on two methods to achieve your goals in 2022. 

About SEFA

Up until a few months ago, I had not heard of SEFA. It just wasn’t on my radar. But now it is! As a certified professional ergonomist with a focus on laboratory ergonomics over the last several decades, I’m grateful to become acquainted with this unique association.

Having served on the BIFMA G1-2022 (pending approval) committee, and my love of laboratory science, I was keenly interested in SEFA.

Business owners and their board of directors are embracing technology and AI designed to boost productivity. These technological advances are changing how warehouse workers work side by side with robots and computers to ensure businesses maximize production.

Early on in my career as a certified professional ergonomist, I became fascinated by the value of ergonomics as a process change agent and influencer on many aspects of organizational design and management. There are several key concepts and people who helped me to formulate the Worksite International Ergonomics Process as it is today as reflected in the Ergonomics Process Influence Model.