Whether you have expressly stated it or not, team members will look to their manager for cues on how to work. This can include things like the number of hours that they should be working, the level of quality that will be deemed “acceptable,” when it is okay to stay home or take breaks, etc.
It is important to strike a delicate balance here. On one hand, you want to make sure that your employees are putting forth their best effort. But, on the other hand, you want to also ensure that you are cultivating a healthy, happy, and productive workplace.
Humans were not designed to sit behind a computer all day. Our eyes are deteriorating from staring at a monitor and there are tons of injuries being sustained just from staying seated for hours on end. It may sound like an overly simple thing, but you should be taking precautions to make sure that your employees stay healthy when they are seated at work. Now we will go over a few easy ways to do so.
First off, you should make sure that the computer screen is at eye level. Chairs should be adjusted so that this height is properly positioned. You can avoid injuries like carpal tunnel by having a cushioned mouse and keyboard pads. Having good posture while seated is also important. Keeping your feet on the floor helps maintain spinal alignment and prevent back pain.
In terms of eye health, there are some things that you should do to counteract all of the time you spend staring at the computer, phone, and television screens. It is important to take frequent breaks to look at further distances. Try to take a 15-30 second break every five to ten minutes.
And you should not just be taking breaks for your eyes. Every hour, get up and take a quick walk or stretch. Meetings can be helpful in this regard as they are an excuse to get people up and moving. Especially if you feel tense or stiff at your desk, it is important to do some simple exercises that can get the blood moving.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, one of the best things that a manager can do is lead by example. An area where this is especially important is when it comes to sick days. Sometimes, employees will feel pressured to come into work when they are under the weather. Unfortunately, this can have a devastating impact as they spread germs and infect others with their illness. Make sure that your managers know – and that they reiterate to their team members – to stay home when they are feeling unwell. It is important to take the time required to allow your body to heal.
All of these tips are important. But the easiest way to get your employees to adopt them is to lead by example. Encourage your team to heed this advice and you will see a big difference when it comes to productivity and overall workplace wellness.
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