Ergonomics Equal Efficiency in Call Center Furniture

Ergonomics Equal Efficiency in Call Center Furniture

By Chris DiMarco, TMCnet Web Editor

When it comes to call center furniture there’s one piece that agents have more contact with than anything else, their chairs. Because the average call center agent sits for the majority of their shift, it’s important for those outfitting the workspace to take their comfort into account. That brings up the ever important furniture characteristic of ergonomics.

By addressing ergonomics in the initial setup of a call center managers stand to eliminate a number of health and efficiency concerns. Jennifer Way of Interior Concepts said in an article for TMC (News - Alert) “An ergonomic call center can help reduce loss of productivity due to injury, and create a better working environment, simply by providing ergonomic tools in the workstations. Along with an adjustable height monitor and keyboard, a complete ergonomic package also includes an adjustable chair, task light, and footrest, as well as training on how to properly adjust the equipment.”

The thought is that the more comfortable an agent sitting for long periods of time at a workstation is, the less often they will need to readjust themselves. This of course translates to more time concentrating on proper customer service.

Ergonomic chairs provide a number of benefits to the call center agent using them and when adjustable have the benefit of fitting just about anyone they will need to.

According to a white paper from Interior Concepts, “Previous thought on proper ergonomic positioning was that a static sitting position with the body in 90 degree angles was best. New studies show that any fixed position will increase muscle fatigue, and that one key component of proper ergonomics is movement.”

Another way to encourage comfort among a call center staff is to remind them to practice healthy stretching periodically throughout the day. This can be accomplished by adjusting a chair or backrest, stretching fingers, hands, arms, and torso, looking away from the monitor, standing up to walk around for a few minutes, and switching between a sitting and standing position.

These little adjustments to a routine that can at times be sedintary can make for a happier healthier workforce prepared to serve your customers.

Chris DiMarco is a Web Editor for TMCnet. He holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining TMC Chris worked with e-commerce provider Suresource as a contact center representative and development analyst. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.


Edited by Chris DiMarco