Ergonomics, health and wellbeing are closely interconnected. Neglecting them can be costly – in every sense of the word.
All information on this page is based on figures from Germany. Data from other countries may differ.
Poor Health Is a Burden – and Expensive
At regular intervals, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) calculates the economic costs of employee absenteeism due to illness. In 2023, people in employment in Germany were absent due to illness for an average of 21.0 days. As a result of continued wage payments and lost productivity, companies incurred an average annual cost of €5,238 per employee.
More Understrain Than Overstrain
Office workers spend around 80,000 hours of their lives sitting. Many health problems are therefore not the result of overexertion, but rather of physical underuse. That’s why sufficient movement and ergonomic seating are key factors in promoting workplace health.
The word ergonomics is derived from the Greek words ergon (work) and nomos (law or rule). Today, ergonomics refers to the science of adapting tools and working conditions to human needs.
Reasons for Sick Leave
Musculoskeletal disorders remain the most common cause of work-related illness absences. In 2023, they accounted for 19.3% of all sick leave days. Due to a widespread wave of colds, respiratory diseases took second place with 18.4%. Mental health conditions and behavioural disorders ranked third at 16.0%.
Source: Economic Costs of Sick Leave 2023, published by BAuA
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. Therefore, a health-promoting workplace design should not only consider ergonomic principles but also interpersonal relationships and the avoidance of potential psychological stressors.
Specialist consultants certified with the Quality Office label provide comprehensive advice on designing healthy office workspaces.
