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Osmond Ergonomics & Wellbeing eBulletin: September 2025

Guy Osmond|15/09/2025

This article was originally emailed as issue 190 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 13/09/2025. You can register here to receive them monthly.

Why 30%?

I had an interesting conversation recently. It was with a supplier about another dealer’s client. I have no idea who the client is, or the dealer (so no confidences betrayed), but it presented an interesting scenario. The end-user client had been planning to provide sit-stand desks for all staff in their new offices but a newly-appointed manager joined the conversation and decided to specify just 30% sit-stand and the remainder traditional fixed-height desks.

This decision clearly raises a number of questions: Why 30%? Is it about cost? If cost is the issue, why not 20% or 5%? If it’s not about cost, then why not 50%, or 80%? Is it because not everyone deserves good ergonomics? If you’re not supplying the same for everyone, where do you put the adjustable desks? How do you know they will be in the right place? This was a fun discussion!

We have continued the conversation within the business and have even created a training session about the right approach to these questions and the ultimate decision.

What do you think? Would you be interested in our training session? How would you guide the decision? Should we move this to LinkedIn for a wider debate? Or should we just give everyone a sit-stand desk and stop deliberating? Let me know you thoughts!

 

Power Dynamics Webinar

Most webinars offer a taste of the topic and a few takeaways. This one cuts to the core! Power dynamics-disengagement-underperformance-avoidance. These are issues affecting wellbeing in all workplaces. Join this free workshop with Alison Leverett-Morris, examining workplace Power Dynamics and how they can drive wellbeing, engagement and productivity. Book on Alison’s website now.

Pregnant Employees

Our second grandchild is due next month and spending time with my son and daughter-in-law last weekend reminded me of the things we should all be thinking about in the workplace. Our  Guidelines for Supporting Pregnant Employees leaflet is a great place to start. It is also worth mentioning that the Handy Forearm Support has proven exceptionally popular over many years.

UltraBoard 950 Offer

Following last month’s laptop stand offer, we have a special price on the excellent UltraBoard 950 mini keyboard this month. This has been a best-seller since its launch. Use Coupon Code SEP25 to get your discount. (We have also extended the Ergo-Q330 laptop stand offer so you can still use the Coupon Code AUG35 for online purchase).

Cheesegrater Event

Our September in-person event, Neuroinclusion: Key Considerations in the Workplace, is proving our most popular this year with over 40 pre-registrations already. Once again, we have two excellent speakers and our client, Aon, has generously provided the venue in their iconic City of London offices. Book soon if you want to attend!

Ergonomics Live: How a Floor Walk Delivered Immediate Impact

The Challenge

A technical team operates in a highly controlled indoor environment, undertaking a combination of intensive screen work and physical tasks involving delicate materials.

Despite having adjustable desks, ergonomic seating, regular DSE assessments and manual handling training, management wanted an independent review to ensure that workstation setups and working habits had not drifted over time.

Our Approach

Osmond Ergonomics & Wellbeing delivered a half-day Ergonomics in Practice Floor Walk, combining:

  • A practical workshop on posture, fatigue and workstation setup
  • One-to-one workstation reviews carried out in the live working environment

Advice was tailored to the team’s specialist equipment, space limitations and physical demands.

The Impact

Out of 14 staff, approximately 50% of workstations were adjusted on the day.

These small but critical changes, including chair height, screen position, and input device placement, immediately reduced strain and improved comfort. The session also refreshed awareness of good working habits, helping prevent the slow return of poor posture that leads to musculoskeletal issues.

Client Feedback

“The session was perfectly pitched for the team. The preparation beforehand made it highly relevant, which is why the team were so engaged.”

Why This Matters

Even in well-managed workplaces, ergonomic drift is common. A simple floor walk delivers quick, measurable improvements that protect wellbeing, reduce injury risk, and boost productivity.

As many services move towards virtual delivery for speed and convenience, this case also highlights the enduring value of being physically present in the working environment. Observing people at work and providing live, individualised feedback allows for nuanced, practical adjustments that simply cannot be replicated remotely.

That’s what makes our floor walking service so valuable and impactful for both individuals and organisations.