In conversation with

Kees de Boer is lead designer at Ahrend. As a chair designer and seating expert, Kees is part of the European standards committee for EN 1729, focusing on school furniture and the NPR1813 the Dutch Practice Directive – the Dutch explanatory note to the European EN1335 for office furniture. His chair designs are characterized by ergonomics, functionality and timeless design. Always with an eye for the human dimension. Nicolle Haans is a movement scientist and occupational physiotherapist at Informens, a company specializing in preventive services in occupational health care. She is involved in the ergonomics of the workplaces for Ahrend. In addition, Informens carries out vitality checks among Ahrend employees.

Allowing employees to work healthily

Nicolle: "Kees designs ergonomic chairs and I look at how the employees of ahrend can assemble these chairs in a healthy way. I also advise employees on how to recycle and refurbish furniture as ergonomically as possible. For this I am regularly in the factory in Sint Oedenrode and the Circular Hub in Veghel. In addition, I advise office workers on setting up their workplace and I provide screen information. Our common goal is to enable employees to work as healthily as possible in their work environment. Whether that is here in Ahrend's working environment  or in that of our clients."

Computer workstation

"Employees who work with a screen often sit in the same position for a long time. This in combination with repetitive actions, such as mice or typing. They often experience physical complaints due to their work. A healthy computer workstation – with an ergonomic chair and a height-adjustable sit-stand table – is therefore a must for every employee."

Compelling display

Kees: "The type of work-related complaints has changed over time. This is because since 2000 the screen has become compelling. Before that, people went to each other for a meeting or appointment. Now you meet via Teams. Previously you looked things up in the library, now you do it via Google. In addition, calling has increasingly made way for emailing and texting. Instead of the lower back and RSI complaints of the past, you now see more neck and shoulder complaints, clearly recognizable by the smartphone neck."

Information is good

"The ergonomic chairs I design comply with the European Standard EN1335 and the Dutch practice guideline NPR1813. And aim to reduce complaints during work. For example, every employee can personally adjust the height, seat depth and armrests of the office chair, tailored to their body proportions. But just as important as a certified office chair according to the European Standard EN1335 is information about sitting properly. This is also an obligation under the Working Conditions Act. We have a lot of knowledge about this at Ahrend. In presentations, we share these with our own colleagues, with clients and with the universities and colleges where I give guest lectures. We show you what possibilities an office chair has and how you can use it and in what order you should do it. We also emphasize the importance of alternating your posture: for good sitting, you have to move regularly."

Man is lazy

"One of the biggest issues in sitting well is human behavior. Eighty percent of employers offer their employees good, health-and-safety facilities. Such as a chair and a sit-stand desk that are personally adjustable. And that's where the problem comes in: people are too lazy to customize their seats. Nowadays, employees often work in open office spaces. Hardly anyone has a fixed workplace anymore. So when you come to the office in the morning, the first thing you need to do is set up your workplace. Many people forget that or are too busy for it. And that's a shame. Because if you don't adjust the chair properly, you can get lower back, neck or shoulder complaints. In combination with the time pressure factor, those complaints do not diminish."

Don't buy off bad behavior

"With a good chair you don't buy off bad behavior. Because no matter how responsible the furniture is, without proper explanation and the necessary aftercare, it has little effect. If employees don't know how to adjust a chair correctly, they may feel like they're sitting on a chair all day. That's why I make the settings in the chairs I design as intuitive as possible. The control buttons are easy to find and a picture shows exactly what each button does. We also supply a compact manual with easy explanations for each chair. And there is an online explainer video of each chair, for when you are looking at your screen anyway. But in the end, employees have to do it themselves. To internalize that behavior, it makes sense to explain to employees at least three times a year about the settings of the chair and sitting properly."

Alternation

Nicolle: "In addition to a good chair and seating information, there is something else to promote healthy behavior in the workplace: provoking employees to change their posture more. If employees continuously remain in a forced working position, complaints arise and they will eventually perform worse. Alternating the posture is therefore crucial to prevent complaints. A working environment must therefore offer sufficient opportunities to vary in workplace. For example, create zones where people can land briefly or work longer in concentration. Make standing meetings attractive with sit-stand desks or high tables. Place a number of acoustic speakers in the room where you can walk to and make a phone call while standing. And also make sure you have comfortable seats or lounge sofas that invite you to really relax. This helps to get employees moving and prevent complaints."    

Future-proof working environment

Kees: "In conclusion, a future-proof working environment is important to keep employees at work for a long time and with vitality. Such an environment is divided into zones where you are encouraged to move from your seat, for example to make a phone call somewhere else, to have a standing meeting or to have a relaxed chat. And in such an environment, healthy behaviour is stimulated, with good ergonomic furniture – including clear instructions – and with information about healthy sitting and healthy working."