Does Ergonomics have to be Expensive?
Hey, I’ve got a question for you…
What’s the difference between a $20 footrest and a $100 footrest?
I’d say about $80!
My sincere apologies for the cheesy joke. It is true, though.
Ergonomic equipment does not have to be expensive. When we perform evaluations, we are looking for the most cost-effective way to solve an issue. We don’t sell equipment. We don’t make commissions. And if a $20 footrest will work, then that’s what we recommend.
When it comes to ergonomics, it’s almost always the shape or size of the item that matters most. We need it to fit the person a certain way.
And that doesn’t mean we don’t take quality into account – if we field-test an item, and it keeps breaking, then no – I’m not going to recommend that item to people. No matter how comfortable it is…it won’t do you much good if it doesn’t function well, too.
So, for your ergo budget, let’s say someone needs a very specific keyboard, a very specific mouse, a footrest, and a laptop riser. We might be looking at around $100 to get that very specific keyboard fit, $100 for a very specific shape of mouse, $20 for a footrest, and $20 for a laptop riser. The “specific fit” items tend to cost a bit more (although not all are as expensive as $100 – most cost less, and a handful actually cost more!), but the standard items are usually fairly cheap. We don’t have to worry about how the footrest fits – it just needs to do its job, adjust to the right height, and be sturdy enough to hold a couple of feet. Same with the laptop stand – it just needs to do its job in getting the laptop to the correct height.
The most expensive things that you may end up buying are chairs and sit/stand desks.
On that, too, we can work with you to find a recommendation that fits your needs, but chairs that come in sizes like Big/Tall and Petite tend to start off at a pretty high price point. Size is a very common reason that a person would need an alternative chair, so this is definitely something that should be considered in your ergo budget. Keep in mind that not everyone is going to need an alternative chair. If you have good, adjustable chairs that fit a wide range of people, then very few employees would need to have an alternative chair purchased for them.
For sit/stand desks, if you’re already outfitted with these, great! If not, your primary options are electric sit/stand desks and desktop conversion units. Electric sit/stand desks tend to be more expensive than desktop conversions, but that gap in price is beginning to narrow. We recommend checking the prices of electric sit/stands first, to determine if they’re within your budget, before considering desktop conversions. You might be pleasantly surprised!
For both chairs and for sit/stand desks, make sure there’s a warranty involved. This way, you’re protecting your investment, and making sure your employees stay comfortable long-term!
So, for your ergo budget, consider the lower-cost items that are fairly interchangeable, and save money here. Occasionally, spending a bit more to get the ideal fit will be necessary. And know that, while the big-ticket items like alternative chairs are going to be needed for some employees, this should only apply to a small percentage of your employees if you already have quality adjustable chairs in place.