With Christmas coming up it is more important than ever to ensure that your health is looked after properly. One of the biggest causes of injury in modern life comes from an unexpected source. Furniture at work can be a huge health hazard if it isn’t set up properly for the tasks that it is required to do. Nobody wants to suffer with pain on a daily basis, but if employees are forced to sit on uncomfortable chairs at their computer desks all day long it can be an uncomfortable reality for many workers. The number of furniture at work complaints over the past few years have increased rapidly as people become more aware of the different types of furniture options that are available for them.
A new bill which has recently come into force has worried some employees who fear that they may not be able to receive the proper compensation if they are injured as a result of bad workplace conditions. Indeed, some commentators believe that the new Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 harks back to the age of the Victorians. From this month of October, employers are only liable for accidents at work where the employee can prove that they have been negligent. This means that employees will need to have evidence, often from professional experts, that safety procedures have been ignored or furniture has been faulty.
Essentially, workplace accident victims will need to supply a lot more information than previously required. If a person has required hospital treatment it is often difficult to gather as much information as possible in the aftermath of their incident, because they are absent from work whilst recovering. It is always a good idea to be in possession of as many facts as possible when considering whether to make a claim or not, and legal advice is always advisable.
However, the best way for companies to avoid such claims is to ensure that their employees are kitted out with the most appropriate furniture possible as soon as they start working for the business. Holding regular furniture at work reviews will help bosses recognise when equipment needs to be changed. However, employees also have a responsibility to speak up for themselves if they feel that an office environment can be improved. After all, business leaders generally agree that a happy workforce is a more productive on. If workers are comfortable in their working conditions they are likely to do a lot more high quality work which can only benefit the company long term.
What is more, furniture is nowhere near as expensive as it used to be. There are some exceptional deals to be found online which can fulfil every office furniture need. Preventing problems before they occur is a major foundation of workplace health and safety. In order to get the most from employees it is sensible to invest in the best furniture a business can afford. Identify any problems in the workplace and take immediate action to resolve them.
