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We’ve all seen those employees who purchase an exercise ball in place of a desk chair with dreams of better posture, more energy, and maybe even a six-pack. While exercise balls may not achieve all that, there are a number of workplace design strategies that can improve worker performance, health, and wellness.

According to Ergonomics Plus, workplace ergonomics is “the science of designing the workplace, keeping in mind the capabilities and limitations of the worker.” This might mean access to a standing desk or an adjustable keyboard. Strategic ergonomics can reduce health and safety issues, like back pain and eyestrain, and improve work performance and productivity. Together, these benefits can enhance employees’ overall wellness.

At the administrative level, a study by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) suggests integrating the traditional divisions of health protection and health promotion to optimize resources and enhance their total impact on employees. As Ergonomics Plus notes, “the conclusions drawn by the study are common sense: Health improvements lead to safety improvements. Safety improvements lead to health improvements.” To successfully integrate safety with wellness, Ergonomics Plus argues there must be collaboration and buy-in from various departments and players, including Health & Safety, Human Resources, Engineering and other key staff, like office managers and accountants.

Want specific tips? HOK, a design, architecture, and engineering firm, suggests the following ergonomic workplace strategies to enhance employee performance, health, and wellness:

• Provide adjustable furniture and training, so individuals can customize their workspaces to meet their needs. A HOK workplace survey of 3,600 employees found that 82 percent of respondents report experiencing some type of physical ailment at work, with about half complaining of neck, back, or shoulder pain.
• Equip employees with mobile tools and technologies, like laptops and tablets, which encourage movement in the workplace. A number of studies have shown a link between sitting for long periods of time and numerous health issues, including higher mortality.
• Provide employees with wearable devices, such as pedometers, that count steps or vibrate to encourage movement throughout the day.
• Design stairs to be more pedestrian-friendly and visually accessible with clear signs.