ResearchComfort & mobility at work is ‘key priority’ for employees – particularly younger workers says UK survey

Ergotron says 73% of UK workers would choose their next employer based on flexible tech provision and wellbeing support.
Content Team2 years ago7 min

A survey of hybrid-office and home-based UK workers gives insight for employers into some of today’s biggest needs for office workers to carry out their roles. 73% of UK workers believe that the provision of ergonomic work conditions, as well as support for their health, will play a bigger role when choosing a company to work for.

The survey by Ergotron, a global company designing and manufacturing ergonomic solutions to improve workspaces and interaction with technology, revealed that younger generations surveyed place special importance on this, with 100% of workers aged 18-24 claiming they would select a new employer based on this criteria; in fact only 5% of all workers disagreed. This indicates the expectation for employers to accommodate the health and wellbeing of workers within their work spaces. Yet only around one third (36%) of respondents have a line manager who regularly checks in with them to enquire about health and wellbeing, which means that employers are falling short of delivering these needs.

Key findings from the report include:

  • 71% of workers aged 18-24 consider it important to be able to switch between sitting and standing while working
  • Only 36% of workers have a line manager regularly checking in with them on health and wellbeing
  • Only 19% of workers are provided ergonomic chairs
  • Only 17% of workers are offered a subsidy by employers to buy their own equipment

Results of the survey showed a clear disparity in terms of the work equipment employees need and what employers provide. An overwhelming 89% cited a laptop as important; with even 80% of those aged 55+ agreeing. Despite this, only 65% of all respondents claim that they have been provided a laptop by employers.

Are you sitting comfortably?

Comfort and mobility at work is also ranking as a key priority for employees. While 75% of respondents said that an ergonomic chair is important, only 19% claimed their employers had in fact supplied them with one. An agile working environment, where workers can switch between sitting and standing to support their physical needs while at work, is also identified as a clear need. 52% of workers consider it important to be able to switch between sitting and standing while working at home, the office or any workplace. A higher proportion of the younger age groups require this more agile environment, with 71% of workers aged 18-24 claiming this to be important.

As part of the need to collaborate with remote teams, and the growing trend to work from home and other business locations, flexibility of technology, and portability of devices, has become critical too. 77% of all respondents said it is important to be able to bring their IT devices with them when working in different rooms. Age is not a factor here, with a significant 60% of workers aged over 55 agreeing that this is very important. It is clear that rooms must have dedicated flexible workspaces that adapt to their different users.

Richard Guy, Country Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Ergotron, said: “Organisations need to develop a robust strategy, which re-designs the way their employees are able to work, and accounts for real workers’ needs. The scope of this should go beyond available technologies, such as laptops, large screens, swivel mounts, adjustable desks and ergonomic chairs, to other dedicated resources which support workers’ physical and mental wellbeing, such as employee wellbeing management plans.”

Find out more about comfort & mobility here


Survey methodology:

The survey was conducted of 150 respondents aged 18+ in the UK. Respondents were office workers who prior to Covid-19 were in their employers office but worked from home during Covid lockdowns and will work from home and office or permanently from home since the lockdowns. Responses were sub-categorised by age across five age categories: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55+.

Image credit: Ergotron

Content Team

Work in Mind is a content platform designed to give a voice to thinkers, businesses, journalists and regulatory bodies in the field of healthy buildings.

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