This article was originally emailed as an extra interim eBulletin at 11:30 on 25/03/2020. You can register here to receive them monthly.
We have never seen a crisis like the current pandemic so, hopefully, you will find my collected thoughts about moving to home working – and doing so at short notice – beneficial. Hopefully, frequent home workers will have already discovered many of the tips here and incorporated them into their daily work routine. For those who are new to the experience (and those who need reminding), here are lots of ideas to keep you healthy (physically and mentally). [more]
WELLBEING FOR SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Running an SME is a demanding job. Fulfilling some or all of the roles of CEO, Finance, Quality, Estates, Facilities, Occupational Health, Health & Safety, Fire Officer, First Aider, Transport Manager and Housekeeper fills a long day! However, as the business starts to grow, it is possible to delegate some (and, eventually, most) of this responsibility. Even so, it might be forgiven if staff wellbeing slips down the daily agenda. Fortunately, the culture of most SMEs supports many elements of wellbeing by default (and probably by accident in the first instance). [more]
This year, the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors conference also incorporates the international ODAM (Organisational Design & Management) symposium. As with many similar events, it will no longer happen face-to-face. Instead, it will be curated online. There are moves afoot to encourage more workplace-related ergonomics at annual conferences and I am due to be one of the participants for an Agile Working ODAM session. This was to have been a panel discussion but, at the time of writing, the revised format is in the process of finalisation.
The WT programme covers a rolling series of topical issues in workplace design. Last month, I attended the Climate Change and the Workplace seminar. This was primarily about the urgent issues for builders, developers, owners and occupiers in addressing the national and regional Net Zero Carbon commitments. The target for the UK as a whole is 2050 but some local authorities have set more urgent objectives. Whilst the really major challenges come in the building construction, the targets are so demanding that every element needs thorough consideration. Careful thought about the operational energy footprint of the furniture, fixtures and fittings should therefore be a priority as well.
By the time you read this, we shall either be in the process of exhibiting at, or will have already attended this event. Although the exhibition & conference name has not changed since inception, last year saw a significant increase in both exhibitors and visitors who wanted to place a specific focus on Wellbeing. We expect that to continue. With that in mind, this is the ideal event for us to explore our first conversations with smaller employers about that focus. We are also bringing a greater emphasis on sustainability as climate change becomes a central theme once again.
Osmond Ergonomics 