In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., organizations are reopening their offices; 72% of companies say employees will be able to return to the workplace over the next five months. However, many of these businesses are embracing a hybrid work model that combines remote work and office collaboration. In fact, Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 56% of U.S. workers have jobs that enable them to work from home at least part of the time, and between 25% and 30% of the workforce will continue to work remotely multiple days per week when this year reaches its end. There’s no denying that hybrid models – and a hybrid workforce – are here to stay. But with this shift come divergent views on workforce productivity, and concerns around employee wellness, team connectivity, and the ability to innovate and problem-solve effectively.
Hybrid work environments come with health and productivity challenges, and it’s helpful to view the issues brought forth from our flexible future from two perspectives: organizations and employees.
Organizational perspective
At the onset of the pandemic, many of us naively thought that the initial shutdown would last only a few weeks. Employers may have, understandably, not provided employees with a suitable at-home workstation in the early months of the pandemic. However, as more organizations embrace a hybrid workforce, they need to address a critical part of employee wellness and productivity: equipping each employee with a proper workstation.
An employee’s workstation both in the office and at home is where the focused work gets done and where health challenges can emerge. To keep hybrid workers engaged and productive both in the office and at home, the hybrid workforce should be provided the tools and proper work environment to be comfortable and healthy by reducing sedentary behavior and improving posture.
The most essential focused work tool to keep hybrid workers healthy and engaged is a height-adjustable workstation, bar none. There are many affordable (under $500.00) solutions on the market today and when used in conjunction with StanData Technology’s best-in-class patented software, are guaranteed to improve engagement, health, and productivity of the hybrid worker as they perform focused work tasks both in-office and remote. Through a combination of proprietary gamification protocols along with education and reminders on the proper use of the hybrid worker’s electric height-adjustable workstation – StanData delivers mission critical real time employee data and insights that increases proper workstation usage, reduces the number of breaks needed due to discomfort, and increases employee job satisfaction.
Typical productivity improvements of 2 weeks of additional employee output per year are being reported when using an electric height adjustable workstation in conjunction with StanData’s software.
Employee perspective
Employees no longer view working from home as a temporary setup, but rather a better way to work – and more than half of U.S. employees are uncomfortable going back into the office. Employees across the U.S. have demonstrated to even the most skeptical leadership teams that remote work can be just as – if not more – effective than being on-site.
Many employees have recognized significant productivity gains and found more time to be with family while working from home over the past year and a half, but have had to deal with makeshift workstations that do not adequately address their needs. In most cases, coveted pieces of ergonomic office furniture remain in emptied office spaces, and awkward at-home work setups at home are resulting in health complications and driving more people to physical therapy.
There are major health ramifications for an improper desk set-up, and for sitting at a desk too long throughout the day. For employees, StanData maximizes health, engagement, and productivity benefits associated with height adjustable workstations – regardless of whether that work is done in-office or at home. Through fun, gamification, and feedback, StanData allows employees to see the results of their height adjustable desk usage and evaluate progress. Basically, any sit-stand workstation user can track their desk usage, create a plan to transition from sitting to standing (and back to sitting), and receive transition reminders. With StanData, the home office desk is a powerful productivity, health, and engagement tool for employees.
Just because employees may no longer be under one roof, employers need to maintain a focus on employee productivity, wellness, and engagement. Investing in solutions like StanData help accomplish this no matter where employees are located.
To learn more about how StanData can help your organization, book a demo.
About StanData
StanData Technology is a best-in-class patented software provider that is guaranteed to improve engagement, health and productivity of the hybrid worker as they perform focused work tasks both in-office and remote. Through a combination of proprietary gamification protocols along with education and reminders on the proper use of the hybrid worker’s electric height adjustable workstation – an essential tool to perform focused work – StanData delivers mission critical real time employee data and insights that increases proper workstation usage, reduces the number of breaks needed due to discomfort, and increases employee job satisfaction. Make your desks smart at standata.com.