Osmond Ergonomics

This article was originally emailed as issue 172 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 14/03/2024. You can register here to receive them monthly.

POSSIBLY OUR BEST EVENT EVER?

Earlier this month, we met up with a diverse mix of professionals to explore the nature and future of workplace wellbeing. We chose Worcester College, Oxford as a unique venue in a ‘not-London’ city and drew delegates from all over the country. The format and content were very different from our previous events and we were privileged to have Andy Lake, Dr Nigel Oseland and Rosie Russell as our key speakers. I am also most grateful to Steven Howe and Twyla Howse of Bakker Elkhuizen for their sponsorship. The presentations prompted animated discussion throughout the day, including during the lunchtime walk around the lake. I really enjoyed myself and have a number of ideas for the structure and content of future events – watch out for details of our next one in London which we are already discussing. Ultimately, though, it’s not about what I thought of it. It’s about delegate satisfaction. The feedback survey has only just gone out and more than a third of participants have already responded. What did they think? The overall event score so far is 97%. I think they liked it too!

PODCASTS

With six recorded and the next three guests lined up, we have now established a rhythm and format that seems to have momentum (although it’s still a work in progress). We also have some contenders for the podcast name but we still don’t (yet) have ‘the one’! We shall be making a final decision during March so this is your last chance to make a suggestion and win an Amazon voucher. In the meantime, our March guest is Giles Miskin, talking about ways to use the Insights Discovery tool to create better teams. You can find all our podcasts here and find out more about Giles’ work here

WELLBEING – THE BIGGER PICTURE

Regular readers will know how fascinated I am about the expansion of the workplace wellbeing conversation and how many factors impact an individual’s experience of their work and workplace (wherever that is). I am also intrigued by the spectrum of ergonomics topics still being discussed on social media. I keep seeing ‘What’s the best office chair?’ questions and, last week, I saw a post on LinkedIn about keyboard wristrests. Is that something that still needs discussion? Haven’t we moved on yet? Or maybe I should still be blogging about the same topics we were exploring 30 years ago! Am I missing out by ignoring the more basic subjects? Do tell me what you think!

DATA SECURITY

I know this is a REALLY boring subject but it’s also very important! Over the last few months, we have been doing a lot of work to formalise and systemise our procedures so that they can be aligned to various national and international standards. In December, we gained Cyber Essentials and at the end of February, Cyber Essentials Plus certification. We have also just completed a comprehensive Framework Review to benchmark how close that alignment is to further standards. Watch this space for further announcements

MORE WORKPLACE EVENTS

Last month, I mentioned the significant events I am attending over the next few weeks so this month I thought I would mention a few of the one-day and half-day opportunities. Some of these will have already passed by the time you read this but it gives you a flavour of the variety that is available (both free and chargeable). You will find me (or you’ve already missed me!) at
14.03.24 – Embracing Change: Navigating the New Expectations of Employee Experience, Bristol
21.03.24 – Smart Work Network at Leesman, London: The Current State of Workplace Experience
27.03.24 – Sensory Processing, Cognitive Well-Being and Neuro-Inclusion in the Workplace, London.

This article was originally emailed as issue 171 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 14/02/2024. You can register here to receive them monthly.

PODCAST – STILL UNTITLED

We have now transmitted four podcasts, have two more ready for March and April and two more planned. We have had many name suggestions and, although some of them have been very clever, nothing has been ‘right’ – so the Amazon voucher has still not been awarded. I think I need to be clearer about what I am seeking!

Most of the suggestions have been historic references to what Osmond Ergonomics has done over the last 30+ years. However, the podcast is a personal venture and the conversations are about the broader wellbeing and EDI issues that fascinate me. As a result, I need a name for its future direction, rather than the past. To help you, here are some topics we have covered in the first six episodes: digital healthcare transformation – AI analysis of health issues – disability and labels – holistic approaches to disability support – corporate risk appetite – wellbeing vs. P & L – risk literacy – change management – culture, vision & values – inadequate leadership training – Gen Z entitlement (or not?) – team building – understanding character types – working effectively with people you don’t like – and choosing a career path that makes you happy.

Does that help? Send me your suggestion(s) here and that Amazon gift card could soon be yours! Find the podcasts and platform choices here.

STOCKHOLM FURNITURE FAIR

What a disappointment. The event had reduced in size by half since last year and the number of exhibitors and attendees likewise. I had hoped to catch up with some existing suppliers and explore new relationships or, at least, have some interesting conversations. I did have a couple of those but the most productive discussion was with a Brit I could have met in London! Even my 3D printing expectations were thwarted.

Next year, I’ll study the exhibitor list carefully before booking a hotel or flight … and there’s no blog this year!

UK EVENTS

The conference & exhibition season has now started and there are several excellent UK events in the next few months. Our own Oxford event for HR and real estate professionals may well be booked up by now but here are the places you will also find me:
IIRSM’s Neurodiversity – the New Frontier in Workplace Ergonomics in London
Workplace Design Show in London (on 28.02.24 only),
Health & Wellbeing @ Work at the NEC (both days),
Workplace Trends Research Summit in London,
CIEHF Conference in Kennilworth and
The Workplace Event at the NEC.
That should give me some material for future eBulletins and blogs!

POST-OCCUPANCY EVALUATION

At a time when so many employers are asking for more data on which to base their workplace decisions, I have been surprised that so few organisations review the success of their office moves and refurbishments effectively. We have been collaborating with Dr Nigel Oseland to offer this service and I recently attended his one-day masterclass so that I fully understand the process. His new book, A Practical Guide to Post-Occupancy Evaluation, is a straightforward handbook about the whole topic.

INTERNAL TRAINING

Our programme of training sessions for our own team is progressively encompassing all the characteristics we need to be aware of to ensure a comprehensive approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, both within the company and when dealing with clients. The awareness subjects addressed so far have been Vision Impairment with Dan Williams, Autism with Dr Aishah Shadi and Dyslexia, Dyscalculia & Dysgraphia with Kirsty Heap. In March, we shall be learning about Dyspraxia, ADHD and Tourette Syndrome.